Sparta

After Lesvos and Viotia, Greek authorities announced on Wednesday that the regional unit of Argolida in the eastern part of the Peloponnese and the municipality of Sparta in the region of Laconia would also enter into a stricter lockdown for five days, to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The measures will apply until 6 a.m. on January 18.

Greek-American ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes has no doubt about it: Spartathlon, the 246-kilometer race that traces the footsteps of ancient messenger Pheidippides is uniquely special, and he is happy there is a documentary out that encapsulates the drama, excitement, agony and ecstasy he experienced when he first attempted this run from Athens to Sparta.

Japanese runner Yoshihiko Ishikawa was the winner of the 36th Spartathlon, one of the most challenging and historical ultra-marathon races in the world, hosted in Greece.

Greece is gearing up for the 36th version of Spartathlon, the ultramarathon race that covers 246 kilometers from Athens to Sparta and starts on Friday.

Treading on the footsteps of ancient messenger Pheidippides, the grueling race will this year have 387 participants who hail from 51 countries. They once again include Greek American ultramarathon superstar Dean Karnazis.

Parts of downtown Athens near the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) and sections of the national highway linking the capital to the Peloponnesian town of Sparta will be intermittently closed off to traffic on Saturday for the 29th Spartakiada.

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in the Peloponnesian city of Sparta offers fascinating insights into the history of olive cultivation and olive oil production in Greece from prehistoric times to the early 20th century, from their roles in mythology, religion and the economy to art, culture and cuisine. The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and holidays between 10 a.m.

Veteran marathon runner Maria Polyzou, Greece's record holder, will attempt to run three entire marathons around Greece on three consecutive Sundays to promote the cause of bone marrow bank Orama Elpidas.

When Barney Spender ran the Athens Marathon in 2002, he probably did not envisage that running in Greece and tracing the legendary steps of ancient messenger Pheidippides would take up more than two years of his life in the future.

Traffic will be diverted on parts of the Athens-Corinth national highway due to the 2nd Authentic Pheidippides Run from Athens to Sparta and back again, which starts on Friday.

Measures will be in place from 4 p.m. onward.

Traffic police said on Thursday that long stretches of the highway will have just one lane open to vehicles.

Inspired by the true story of veteran Marathon champion Maria Polyzou, the fairy tale "A Giant Called M.P." by Magda Costopoulou-Beriou is out in both Greek and English editions, coinciding with the Athens Marathon-The Authentic that takes place this Sunday.