Standing on a hilltop facing southwest, Pheidippides knew of the challenge before him.

His chief officer and military instructor had just ordered him to send a message of victory back to the capital, Athens. Yet, the officer had no horse for him and victory – in truth – still seemed a few hours away. Pheidippides would have to go on foot. A full day of hand-to-hand combat and tactical movements had worn his sandals down to nothing, and the sun was well on its way to setting. But the young Greek had no time to think about the orders.

The journey would take a full day as his destination lay over 24 miles away. He saluted his superior and headed off; even as he did this several menacing arrows from the Persian enemies sailed just overhead.

“Be there by sundown tomorrow! We need the Athenians to help us with the aftermath of this battle right away. Good luck,” shouted Bacchus, the chief officer of Pheidippides’ martial brigade.

“Yes sir!” Pheidippides bowed, then turned and started running downhill.

Luckily for Pheidippides the martial training he endured as an Athenian soldier allowed his fitness to reach peak performance. He gracefully descended the hill then continued on in a gallop across foothills and grasslands. Night fell, but he kept running. The desire to slow down and walk never surfaced. His discipline was too great. His dedication to success for Athens was too great. And his conditioning could handle it.

The general of the Athenian army was in the town center brushing his horse's mane, awaiting word from the battlefield. He glanced up in the general direction of the site in hopes that someone would appear and bring a message of victory -- a hope that would just have to wait until tomorrow, as it was too dark for any news to arrive. Well, the general had to rub his eyes in disbelief as there appeared from way down a marble avenue, a young soldier running in his direction. The boy appeared exhausted, covered in blood and sweat; and he held a message in his hand. The general ran to meet him and in a moment that would change physical fitness forever, young Pheidippides, after completing a 24-hour journey in only three, delivered his message of victory from the battlefield at the small town of Marathon.