Stavros Michael was the first to finish in a six hour marathon that took place on 1 August at the Melbourne Botanical Garden, organised by “Trails+”, which specialises in a series of marathons.
Mr Michael shared a statement after the race, touching on being inspired by the Olympic spirit.
“We started from sunrise in the winter cold and darkness of Melbourne under the shadow of the coronavirus, but the Tokyo 2020 Olympic spirit inspired and guided us, one team, on this track. I wanted, against all odds of this pandemic, that constantly threatens us beyond our health, to gain our dignity, our kindness, and our humanity.
READ MORE: All in Greek spirit: Stavros Michael places 4th in 100km super-marathon
The competition is never against the fellow runners, but rather with ourselves; our weaknesses and doubts, but also against the forces, visible and invisible, that want to capitulate us.
As always, I dedicate my race, not only to my family, but to my homelands of Lefkada and Agios Epiktitos of Kyrenia and to Giannis Kouros, the first among the super-runners.”