On Sunday 4th November Julie, trainee Solicitor at Clarke & Son LLP ran the Athens Marathon with her fiance, completing the course in 4.58 hours. This was the original course used during the first modern Olympic games in 1896 as well as the official Olympic course of Athens 2004 when Paula Radcliffe was struck with stomach cramps and sadly had to pull out of the race.

On the event’s 25th anniversary, Julie managed a sprint finish to avoid going over 5 hour mark! Julie said of her challenge,

It was a very hilly and humid course and I can see why the ancient Greek who ran the 26.2 miles to tell of the victory against the Persians died at the end! I was born in Iran so a certain sweetness to someone of Persian connection entering Athens triumphant!

While Julie beat Paula’s 2004 Olympics (non) time thankfully Paula has returned to form and won the New York marathon also on Sunday. Julie and her fiancé have entered the ballot to run the 2008 London marathon and if accepted, they will begin fundraising in December for the Clarke & Son LLP charity of the year The Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.