EXPLORING THE BIRTHPLACE OF SPARTANS

How many of us have ever completed a full marathon? Now imagine running your first-ever marathon on the original route that the legendary Athenian soldier Pheidippides took, on his journey to Athens.

The team from 6 SIR did just that. Led by Major (MAJ) Adrian Koh, the team comprising Captain (CPT) Jeffrey Sea, CPT Sia Lian Huat, First Warrant Officer (1WO) Lim Seng, 1WO Selvaraj and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Lim Chee Keong, undertook an expedition around Greece from 2 to 14 Jul last year.

The team wanted to do something not just tough and challenging, but also closer to the hearts of the servicemen, explained MAJ Adrian Koh, on why Greece was chosen for the expedition, which was funded by the Singapore Armed Forces Adventure Training Award.

"Not only was it an expedition trip, it was also a study trip as 6 SIR, also known as the Spartans, sought to relive the Spartans' spirit," he said.

Cycling around hilly Greece and culminating in a marathon tracing the steps of Pheidippides on his fateful journey, the expedition was both physically and mentally demanding.

"It was an eye-opener for us," said 1WO Lim, who added that the mountainous terrain the team encountered was a far cry from what they were used to back home.

"In my mind, when I was cycling up the slope, I only thought of 'no retreat', 'no surrender' and that I must endure and complete the planned distance."

When cycling downhill, the team had to be extra mindful of the sharp bends and high speed.

"Before this trip, I never expected terrain where the ground has a five to ten degree incline all the way, for a few kilometres. Cycling down slope was also quite scary at times because of the high speed, and in some places, if you miss the bend, you might just end up falling off a cliff," added CPT Sia.

Another obstacle the team had to overcome was the scorching heat in Greece. Temperatures hit 41 degrees Celsius and on top of that, the length of days was also much longer, with the sun setting only at 9pm.

However, these challenges brought the team closer together. It was with a combined team effort that enabled them to complete the expedition, as they lent each other mental support and encouragement during the gruelling parts of the journey.

Besides running and cycling while taking in the breathtaking sights of Greece, the other item on the team's agenda was to trace and find out more about the history and birthplace of the legendary warriors that their battalion was named after - the Spartans, protectors of peace.

Some of the historical sights they visited included ancient Olympia, Sparta city and Corinth Canal.

"To be able to stand at the ruins some of which are from first to second century BC makes you feel as if you are part of it," explained CPT Sia.

"The Corinth Canal is really worth visiting. They cut through a mountain to clear the way for ships to travel and it shows that if man is willing to do something, he can definitely do it."

After eight full days and 610 kilometres (km) of cycling, the team took a one-day rest before embarking on their maiden marathon run from Marathon city to Athens.

Being unaccustomed to cycling for long hours day after day, the team started on the run with all their accumulated aches and pains. Coupled with the discomfort they were facing with the weather and rough terrain, the team decided to take it slow, running 28 km in the morning and the remaining 14km in the evening, after taking a break from the intense weather.

Through all the pain and fatigue, the only thought running through the mind of CPT Sea was: If that guy can do it, so can I.

"The run at the end was torturous after all the exertions of the past days, but at the same time it also felt very good that the first time that I ran in a marathon was at Marathon city," he recalled.

All that beautiful scenery, breathtaking vistas, a land rich in history and good company, made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the 6 SIR team.

Through it all, they also learnt much more about the birthplace of the Spartans, and more importantly, about their comrades and themselves.

The Corinth Canal represents an emblem of perseverance to MAJ Koh and his team.

Journeying through the timeless ruins, CPT Sia felt one with the Spartans.