Page 37 - TREASURES 2023

E X P L ORE
Born

to Run

Having competed in

the Boston Marathon in
the late 1930s, Stylianos Passionate about Bespoke Media

Kyriakides was determined
to compete once again.

With an almost mythical
performance, he managed

to win the 1946 Boston
Marathon. After all,

his talent was evident
right from the beginning

in Cyprus.

APOSTOLOS KOUKOUSSAS

Stylianos “Stelios” Kyriakides, the renowned records, all the while remaining a faithful member Claiming that “I came to
Marathon Champion, Cypriot patriot and human- of the Olympia Running Club of Cyprus, despite run for 7 million hungry
Greeks”, Cypriot hero
itarian, was born on the 15th of January, 1910, in countless invitations from other clubs. Stylianos Kyriakides
the mountain village of Statos, in the province of Along with his athletic achievements, he is perhaps pulled away from the
Paphos, Cyprus, the youngest out of five children, best known for his humanism, which made him a rest of the runners to
cross the finishing line
to a family of farmers. He attended the local village hero throughout Greece. After winning the Boston and triumphantly win the
grammar school until the age of 14 before working Marathon against all the odds in 1946, setting the 1946 Boston Marathon.
at various jobs in order to support his family, one of fastest worldwide marathon time (2:29:37) for that
which was working in Limassol as a house boy for Dr year, Kyriakides remained in the US for a month
Cheverton. The District Medical Officer, who himself with the sole aim of gathering economic aid to
a long-distance runner, recognised Kyriakides’ po- provide food and shelter for Greeks severely im-
tential in the sport. Encouraged by the doctor, the poverished by the Second World War. His victory
young Cypriot started training in late 1931, running raised awareness helping him to collect 250,000
at night along the beach of Limassol. US dollars, 2 ships filled with food, clothing and
When the doctor returned to the UK for further medicine (known as the Kyriakides Package), and
medical training, he sent Kyriakides two running a further 400,000 US dollars a year later from the PHOTO: © CHARLES DIXON/THE BOSTON GLOBE VIA GETTY IMAGES/ IDEAL IMAGE
shirts and a pair of running shoes, which he would US government.
later claim “was the beginning” to start training Kyriakides was one of the people who started
seriously. By then, he was working for Chief Justice the renaissance of classical sports in Greece CONTACT US
Green, who also supported his training, and his ded- after the war. In 1951, Kyriakides was elected a 10, Eleftheron Poliorkimenon str,
ication and hard work paid off at the Pancyprian member of the Council of S.E.G.A.S., where he Marousi 15125, Athens - Greece
games in 1933 where the unknown boy from the remained a member until his death in 1987. Content Creators T + 30 210 6100211-212
F + 30 210 6100213
mountain village won a multitude of races. Throughout his life, the Cypriot hero retained Digital Marketing
During his running career he achieved legendary a strong bond with his homeland. Whenever Communication & PR info@elseagency.gr
status, winning countless races ranging from the Cypriot runners from his club came to Greece, Brand Development www.elseagency.gr
400m through to marathons and breaking many he would take care of them. ATHENS - LONDON

36 S T ADEMOS HO TEL S