The remarkable story of Stylianos Kyriakides: the original charity runner

“All of us can do incredible things if we believe in them. There’s no limits”, says Dimitri Kyriakides, the son of the original charity runner, Stylianos Kyriakides. In this video, Dimitri shares the extraordinary story of his father – the man who defied all odds to win the 1946 Boston Marathon, then changed lives against the bloody backdrop of war. Here, we explore the life-changing power of running.

Stylianos Kyriakides’ route to running for change

Kyriakides' running story began whilst working for British medical officer, Dr Reginald Cheverton. Following pain in his knees, Dr Cheverton discovered that Kyriakides had an unusually low heart rate and, as an athlete himself, told Kyriakides that this would lend itself to long-distance running. So, Kyriakides joined the Olympia Running Club in Limassol, where he trained for the Balkan Games and later, the Olympic Games in Berlin. At the Olympic Games, where he came tenth, Kyriakides met four-times Boston Marathon champion, Johnny Kelley, who would later join Kyriakides’ on his route to charity running success. Then came World War II.

Documents and artefacts from the Berlin Olympic Games

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Making miracles out of misery

Following the devastation of WWII and amidst the Civil War that followed, 1946 saw Kyriakides return to the Boston track. He sold most of his possessions to fund his flight from Athens to New York for the Boston Marathon. Weighing just 48kg, doctors warned Kyriakides that he shouldn’t run in the race – but he was determined. “He was very thin. He hadn’t trained or ran for years. But he wanted to go there and run [...] to tell the American people the problem that Greece was facing”, says Dimitri. He spent the first half of the race at the back, before catching up with Johnny Kelley at the front during the second half. Against all odds, Kyriakides crossed the finish line first, with a time of 2:29:27 – the fastest marathon time recorded in 1946, for anywhere in the world. Shouting “for Greece!” as he became champion of the Boston Marathon was a moment that made American news – and became a defining moment in running history.

Kyriakides crossing the finish line at the 1946 Boston Marathon

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Kyriakides’ post-marathon humanitarian work

“The whole thing became so famous at the time that American newspapers had on the front page that the Greek winner of the Boston marathon was [...] asking and begging for help for his country and his people”, says Dimitri. When President Truman heard about this story, Kyriakides was invited to the White House, along with Johnny Kelley. Inspired by Kyriakides’ remarkable Boston Marathon win, President Truman announced the “Package Kyriakides”, which saw Kyriakides return to Greece with $250,000 and 25,000 tons of food donated by the USA. “This is where the patriotic, humanitarian part of his life starts”, says Dimitri. Kyriakides dedicated his life to the local community, encouraged young people to take up sports and found sponsors who helped him to build an athletic club. “We have Olympic champions coming out of this club, still today”, says Dimtiri, “and now, running for charity has become very popular”.

Newspaper clippings covering the story (left). A heroes welcome back in Greece (right)

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What can we learn from Kyriakides’ charity running efforts?

Kyriakides is proof that running for a cause can provide the motivation needed to make change-making achievements, even during those times when it feels like the odds are stacked against us. Kyriakides’ charity work raised vital awareness, money and aid to help the starving, war-strewn nation of his home nation in Greece. “This is a lesson for all of us”, says Dimitri. “If you want to do something in life, it doesn’t matter how difficult things are. After all, life is a marathon. You have your ups and you have your downs. You hit the wall many times. Not just once. And this is life. If you want to do something, you can do it. All of us can do incredible things if we believe in them”.

Children train at the Filothei Sports Club named in honour of Kyriakides

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On that note, if Kyriakides’ story has left you feeling inspired to run for a cause, check out our round-up of top events taking place this year. There’s marathon running and then there’s charity marathon running. As proven by Stylianos Kyriakides, the latter can save lives and ultimately, change the world.

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1. Time Your Run Right

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2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Staying hydrated is crucial. Start hydrating well before your run and continue sipping water throughout the day. For runs longer than 60 minutes, consider an electrolyte drink to replenish the salts lost through sweat. A hydration belt or handheld bottle can make it easier to carry fluids with you.

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Product Recommendation: The Hypercraft Sunglasses are designed for runners, offering no-slip, no-bounce performance with polarized lenses. They provide complete full-spectrum UV protection and come in a variety of stylish colors.

4. Slather on the Sunscreen

Sunscreen is non-negotiable when running in the summer. Opt for a sweat-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and apply it liberally to all exposed skin. Reapply if you're out for a long run or sweating heavily.

Product Recommendation: The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula that won’t clog pores. It's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it ideal for sweaty summer runs.

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6. Fuel Right

Your body needs extra energy to cope with the heat, so don’t skimp on your pre-run fuel. A light snack rich in carbs, like a banana or a handful of pretzels, can give you the boost you need without weighing you down. After your run, replenish with a mix of protein and carbs to aid recovery.

7. Consider Cooling Gear

Cooling towels or neck wraps can provide relief on particularly hot days. These items are designed to stay cool when wet and can help lower your body temperature. Simply soak them in water before your run and drape them around your neck or shoulders.

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Get Ready for Race Day with Olympic Heptathlete, Chari Hawkins

Autumn race season is almost here, and whether you're doing something completely new or looking to shave seconds off your personal best, now is the perfect time to fine tune your training. To help you get race-day ready, we caught up with Olympic Heptathlete Chari Hawkins, who shares her top tips for maximising your training.

Q: As an athlete that competes across multiple distances and disciplines, how do you train to ensure you can perform at your best?

Being a Heptathlete throws a lot at you – hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin, and the 800m. That means my training needs to be versatile to accommodate for each one of the events. However, there is a core part of my training that stays consistent! Drills.

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Q: How much do you taper for races? What does race week look like for you?

Race week is all about fine-tuning. Yes, I taper down on training volume, focusing on peaking for the race, keeping my body loose and ready to explode. It's a balance between staying sharp and not overdoing it on the track and in the weight room. Physical therapy is also crucial so I can show up on race day ready to go.

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Using a variety of shoes has helped me stay healthy and enabled me to be more consistent with my training. Different shoes offer different benefits – some prioritise cushioning, others responsiveness. It helps prevent overuse injuries and keeps my training fresh.

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As I do seven events being able to pick out a pair of shoes that is suitable for my specific training session, whether it is speed, endurance, jumping or weight training. The rotation of the shoes allow me to get the most out of the workout.

Q: What is your morning routine for race day?

My goal is to always keep it the same. My focus is on staying consistent with what I do each morning before practice so that the competition feels the same as how I practise. Mornings are all about setting the right tone. Early wake up, at least 3.5 hours before I compete, grab a healthy breakfast packed with protein to fuel my body, and drink plenty of water/electrolytes.

I get to the competition and warm up with my trainer for about 30 minutes before I hit the track and start getting ready for my first event, the 100M hurdles, roughly 1 hour before race time.

Q: Finally, what’s your one golden mantra you say to yourself when you’re standing on the start line waiting for the gun to go?

Here are a couple:

It doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
See - Feel - Trust. (see yourself do it, feel yourself do it, trust yourself to do it!)

Final thoughts

As you prepare for your autumn races, remember that preparation is key to success. With the expert advice from Chari Hawkins and the fast and protective design of the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, you have everything you need to make this race your best yet.

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