Γειά σας, φίλοι μου! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful messages of support and encouragement in the lead up to the Athens Classic Marathon. I have been overwhelmed by the level of support from people here in Greece, as well as friends and family around the world. The race itself was, without doubt, one of the most incredible experiences of my life. This year marked the 2,500th anniversary of the famous Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, so the organising committee was determined to put on a magnificent show. I want to congratulate and thank all the organisers, staff and volunteers who made it a day to remember. The support was nothing short of spectacular. Tens of thousands of people lined the route from Marathon to Athens, cheering us on, waving flags and handing out olive branches – the ancient Greek symbol of victory and peace.

The 12,500 runners hailed from every corner of the globe; testament to the international ʽmarathon spiritʼ that has endured since the first marathon event of the modern era in the 1896 Olympic Games here in Athens. This was my first ever marathon, so I spent months anxiously preparing and training for the race. My father is a veteran long-distance runner, and I drew great inspiration from his experience and expert advice. During the pre-race build-up I busied myself with last minute preparations to quell the nerves. The starting gun sounded and I eventually crossed the start line shortly after 9 am. I donʼt think I have ever gone through so many emotions in one day: fear, anxiety, pressure, stress, pain, exhaustion, joy and the sheer elation of crossing the line. It was extraordinary.

Running a marathon teaches you so much about yourself. As the pain shoots through your legs every fibre of your body is screaming for you to stop. The Athens Classic is a notoriously difficult race due to the high number of slow inclines in the first 32 km. As I battled through the infamous ʽwallʼ – the middle part of the marathon – I kept thinking of all the reasons why I was running. It was a hot day and the going was tough, but the camaraderie of my fellow runners was a great source of motivation. The race organisers positioned water and food stations at regular intervals along the route, so I made sure to re-hydrate at every opportunity. By the time I reached the 36 km marker my knees were in agony but I started to allow myself to believe that the finish line was near!

My spirits soared as I paced through the outskirts of Athens and edged ever closer to the 1896 Panathaniako Stadium. The streets were packed with people and their cheers of encouragement carried me on towards the end. Rounding the final bend and entering the stadium for the last 170 m was overwhelming. I managed to complete the course in 4 hours and 47 minutes. It was a gruelling first marathon experience but I hope to compete in more races in the future. It seems that I have inherited fatherʼs thirst for long-distance running!

Since I became an Ambassador for ARCHELON in September I have been absolutely delighted by the number of friends and family pledging donations. It is heartening to know that so many people are willing to support environmental and animal welfare issues despite the current economic climate. By Mr. Benos-Palmerʼs own admission, raising sponsorship for non-governmental groups in Greece is a relatively new phenomenon. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience working with the staff at ARCHELON. We are continuing to develop initiatives to raise much-needed funds and increase the profile of this incredible organisation at home and abroad. ARCHELON is fighting hard to preserve the marine environment of the eastern Mediterranean and the natural habitat of one of the worldʼs most endangered species, Caretta caretta – the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. I want to thank you all on behalf of the staff and volunteers at ARCHELON for your continued support. Most of all, I want to thank you on behalf of the majestic Loggerhead, a species that evolved over 150 million years ago, outlived the dinosaurs, and continues to form a vital link in the marine eco-system here in the Mediterranean and around the world. Eυχαριστώ πολύ!

Duncan Howitt-Marshall
ARCHELON Ambassador
16th November 2010