Manny Karageorgiou is all set to run this year’s St George Melbourne Marathon tomorrow, for his 33rd consecutive year. At 54, Manny Karageorgiou is the youngest of the 11 Spartan Legends who have run all 32 Melbourne races, starting at age 22 when he took part in the inaugural race in 1978.
“When you’re young there’s always things you want to do, and running a marathon was a challenge that I set for myself,” Mr Karageorgiou told Neos Kosmos.
Mr Karageorgiou’s Greek roots have also been an influence. “A few years after I ran my first marathon we went to Greece where we have relatives that live in Marathon, where the original marathon took place. The Greek connection is important to me,” he said.
In the past few years Mr Karageorgiou completed the Kokoda Track with his son Pana, and last year trekked to the base camp at Mount Everest. “That was a big thrill,” he said.
Mr Karageorgiou said the pressure to keep running is on. “I’m still enjoying it, so I’ll keep doing it. I’m looking forward to the day,” he said.
