Spartathlon 2025: Brunner and Morocza Conquer the 246km Athens-to-Sparta Ultra
The Spartathlon β a 246-kilometer ultramarathon from Athens to Sparta β is considered one of the most difficult foot races on the planet. The 2025 edition, held on September 27, once again tested the limits of human endurance.
Men's Winner: Radek Brunner
Czech Republic's Radek Brunner claimed his second Spartathlon victory (after 2017) with a time of 21 hours, 24 minutes, and 35 seconds. Brunner's experience and pacing strategy proved decisive in the early autumn heat that has derailed many competitors over the years.
Women's Winner: Andrea Morocza
Hungary's Andrea Morocza won the women's race in 25 hours, 9 minutes, and 6 seconds, becoming the fourth Hungarian woman to win the Spartathlon. Her triumph amid challenging conditions exemplified the adaptive strategies and crew coordination that this race demands.
The Legend of the Spartathlon
Running since 1983, the Spartathlon traces the legendary run of Pheidippides, who in 490 BC was said to have run from Athens to Sparta to seek help before the Battle of Marathon. The 246km course features stringent cutoff times, hilly terrain, limited crew support, and unpredictable weather β a combination that typically sees more than half the field fail to finish.
Greek legend Fotis Zisimopoulos holds the course record at 19:55:02, set in 2023 β the first sub-20-hour finish in the race's history. The 2026 edition is set for late September.