Our morning began with a glorious 500m descent from Delphi. All the runner had to do was put one foot in front of the other and let gravity look after the rest. The roads twisted back and forth with dramatic loops and hairpins carved into the side of the mountain. Tall slender firs stood against the walls of brown rock interspersed with shrubs bursting with pink flowers. The valley below was a bubbly blanket of dark green tree plantations.

After some brief flat running in the valley we began to climb up and up once more. The valleys were filled with shades of green, plantations of olive trees with beige patches showing as they ascended up the mountainsides. All around the mountains stood shoulder to shoulder creating barriers around which the roads had to manoeuvre.

After a morning of intense running we were joined by some local teenagers for the last kilometre into Gravia. This small town was full of welcoming town folk who applauded as we entered.

We were warmly greeted by the Mayor who then led us into a historic site. A stone pathway led right up to a reconstructed inn on which the original stood. Here a group of 120 courageous patriots led by Androutsos had managed to hold off an attack of three thousand infantry and one thousand cavalry. At the entrance gate we had a small ceremony in which the Mayor held the torch and we offered our World Harmony Run song to all present.

The inn itself was full of character with a stone foundation and brick walls consisting of clay and straw. Then we entered into the darkness of a large cool room and the torch provided a warm glow. Strong wooden beams loomed overhead.

Returning back into the daylight, the Mayor invited us to a large lunch in a nearby restaurant. Eating such a nice meal is always easy but inevitably the running afterwards is tough!

We only had to run 28km to Lamia. In the afternoon the cloud cover cleared, causing the temperature to increase and hence the effort in running. After a quick lap of the town centre we reached our accommodation, checked in, and then left for the Gulf of Lamia to go swimming. The wind was blowing strongly across the sea creating froth and foam on the surface. At the end of a long pier we found a high diving board from which to jump and shout. The water was quite warm despite the wind and waves.

In the distance one could see the famous Thermopiles pass where in ancient times the Persian army confronted the Spartans. After yet another large meal the team made their way back to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

Distance: 80km

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