”Congratulations to Dutch athlete Silvio Teunissen for finishing the annual Spartathlon that took place this month. In this incredible race runners from all over the world come to Greece to run from Athens to Sparta: 246 kilometers in one day! The event is in honour of the Athenian messenger Pheidippides sent by his generals to Sparta in order to secure help for the reinforcement of the scanty Athenian forces against the forthcoming Asiatic incursion 490 B.C. According to the story Pheidippides arrived in Sparta on the next day of his departure from Athens. Embassy colleague Carlijn Lubbinge joined Mr. Teunissen and all other athletes at the medallion ceremony back in Athens. The Embassy congratulates all participants that got selected for this fantastic event and we look forward to welcoming you again in Greece!”, stated the Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece .