The ultramarathoner Kiko Martínez, winner of the 100 km at Ultrahélike de Elche, has set the best Spanish mark in the Spartathlon of Greece after completing 246 kilometers in 23 hours and 11 minutes, the fastest time recorded by a national athlete to date. With this performance, the runner has secured sixth place among about 400 participants from around the world in one of the planet’s toughest endurance events.
The Spartathlon in Greece is one of the hardest and most prestigious ultrarunning races in the world. With a 246-kilometer route uninterrupted from Athens to Sparta, the course runs over asphalt, mountain trails, and segments with significant elevation, all under a strict 36-hour time limit. The race starts at the foot of the Acropolis, on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, next to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, and finishes in Sparta, in front of the statue of King Leonidas. The athlete must touch the statue’s feet to finish. The great challenge of the route is the ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio, which is undertaken at night.
During the more than 23 hours of the journey with abrupt shifts between day and night, Kiko Martínez had the backing of D.Franklin Athletic. The brand outfitted the athlete with its sport glasses, designed to withstand extreme conditions via an ultralight frame that does not cause discomfort or a sense of weight, a firm fit that prevents slipping with sweat or movement, and lenses featuring Optarex™—complete UV400 sun protection, high impact resistance, and clear visibility that reduces eye fatigue.
