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I am an athlete, more specifically a runner. Last year I participated for the first time in the Athens Classic Marathon. I was thrilled by the whole process.

My motivation to cross the finish line of the 42 km Classic Marathon was really big. I decided to run for my son, I wanted to make him a gift that keeps on giving. I wanted him to remember that the strength to achieve goals lies in us.

I remember the first time we arrived at the airport of Athens; the first thing I remember is the faces of people at the information desk. WOW! Do all Greeks look like this? Their eyes were full of kindness. They welcomed us so warmly on our first visit to Athens. I thought that this must be Greek hospitality! They told me that they were volunteers of the Athens Classic Marathon. I would have never imagined that there are people so kind, who choose to offer selflessly their help to other people. My five-year-old son said: “We will have a great time here, dad!”

I won’t go into detail about the extreme effort that a runner has to make to run the Athens Classic Marathon, or the intrinsic motivation that makes him run such a long distance, or even the anxiety of the inner satisfaction, success or failure… I believe anyone can understand all of the above.

What I want to say and wish to be spread around is what I think of the people of the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee and the Volunteers, and a big THANK YOU!

Thank you for responding to my queries at any time during the whole period of the Athens Classic Marathon. You turned my despair as a foreigner “who asks about everything” into an oasis of great service and smiling faces.

 

When I was lost and asked someone the way, he accompanied me until I reached my destination... I don’t know his name, but I am grateful from the bottom of my heart…

 

Thank you for offering me water while I was running… I was amazed at seeing a volunteer running behind a marathon runner in order to give him the bottle of water that didn’t manage to take in the first place…

Thank you for the clapping and cheering just when I thought I would give up… You left your family on Sunday for me… I will go till the end for you…

Thank you for the sponge you offered me to freshen up...

Thank you for covering me with a thermal blanket at the end of the race for not getting cold… And you took a picture with me…!!! Wow!! I must be famous now!

Thank you for your understanding and empathy with my struggle and fatigue…

Thank you for treating me like a VIP person every time I asked or needed something… I felt like I was the only person around… especially after the race, this was truly a divine help.

Thank you for your kindness and love…

Most of all, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to offer my son a great trip and show him the meaning of humanity, solidarity and mutual aid for a great cause.

Thank you, Greece! You will never crack, even under pressure!

Thank you, Volunteers of the Athens Classic Marathon with all my heart!