Pheidippides

Profession: Hero of Athens

Nationality:

Biography: The central figure in a story that was the inspiration for a modern sporting event, the marathon. He is said to have run from Marathon to Athens in under 36 hours to deliver news of a military victory against the Persians.

Legend has it that Pheidippides, upon reaching Athens with the news, then collapsed and died.

Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Died: September 2, 490 BC