AN ATHLETE is preparing to take on a 153-mile run from Athens to Sparta.

Dan Lawson, 42, is training for the Spartathlon, a gruelling road race equivalent to six marathons run back to back – and he must complete it in under 36 hours, or face disqualification.

He is part of the 25-strong British team hoping to complete the race, which has been running every year since 1983.

Dan, from Brighton, said: “It is a really iconic race, and you’re running with your feet in history. Friends who have run it say it is an incredible experience.”

The Spartathlon is notoriously difficult, not just because of the ‘death bus’ that follows the race and picks up stragglers.

Runners must negotiate the Greek summer heat, heavy traffic on open roads in Athens city centre and a 3,900 foot climb in the dead of night.

But Dan, who spends half of his time in Goa, India, with his family, says that he is really looking forward to the demanding race.

He said: “A lot of people worry about the heat, but I actually prefer running in hot weather, and I’m used to the heat in India.

“But half way through there’s a mountain you have to go up, and by that point it’s the middle of the night. That will be a challenge, as I don’t really have anywhere to practice those conditions.”

Dan, who holds the world record for the most miles run on a treadmill in a single week, has been running for six years, including previous ultramarathons.

On April 11 and 12 Dan ran a 24 hour race in Turin, and on May 23 he will compete in the Grand Union Canal race from Birmingham to London.

After a rest, he says he will then start running 100 to 140 miles every week to prepare for the Spartathlon.

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The Spartathlon follows the route of legendary runner Pheidippedes, who ran from Athens to Sparta in 490BC to request Spartan’s help in a fight against the Persians.

He completed the distance in a day and a half, then ran all the way back to Athens in time to fight in the Battle of Marathon.

After the Athenians won the battle, he then ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory, giving rise to the name marathon.

Worn out by his athletic feats, he then collapsed and died, but is remembered today by athletes competing in the Spartathlon and marathon races across the world.