What's the earliest known example of "fun running"?

by EvilVegan

Are there any early historical examples of people running purely for the enjoyment of running?

What about ancient examples of running for exercise outside of military or hunting training?

Edit: Not counting competitions either, if at all possible. Just running to run or running for health.

mclassh

The Odyssey has a footrace in book 8. Not the best translation below but gets the story across... http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Odyssey8.htm

mclassh

And also the Aeneid, taking its cue from Homer... http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/VirgilAeneidV.htm