The idea of the marathon was conceived by Michel Bréal, who was inspired by the legend of Pheidippides.

Pheidippides was an historical figure who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of the Athenian victory at the battle of Marathon.

Nowadays’ marathon runners Stavros Michael and Dorothy Kapetopoulos, deliver a message of their own personal victories, by demonstrating high levels of discipline, determination, dedication, and resilience throughout their running journeys.

It is one thing to possess these qualities as an athlete, but to be able to use them for a greater cause reveals a true quality of deep generosity, kindness, and solidarity.

STAVROS MICHAEL

Stavros Michael is a dedicated runner who will take on a 48-hour challenge, to raise funds for Big Group Hug, an organisation serving local communities by supporting underprivileged children who live in poverty.

Starting on Monday 3 April at 6 am, the 30-year-old runner will be running 10km around Princes Park, every four hours, ending his challenge on Wednesday 5 April at 7 am, running from Brunswick East to Big Group Hug’s Airport West Hub.

“I thought about just doing a charity run, I’ve always thought about orphanages and misfortunate families who don’t have enough supplies to support themselves,” says Stavros to Neos Kosmos.

This year’s marathon will be a true testament to Stavros’s willpower and capacity to push through the physical and mental demands, that come with running a total of 120km over two straight days.

According to Stavros, this initiative is tailored around the famous challenge set by another ultramarathon runner called David Goggins, who does four miles (6.4km) every four hours for 48 hours.

“I did the four miles challenge in 2018, but this time I want to take it up a notch,” he explains.

Stavros admits that he “wanted to do this for a while” and since he is “balancing life out pretty good at the moment,” he thought he’d “give it a go,” reaching out to the management of Big Group Hug.

Stavros’ first fundraising marathon took place in December 2021, where he ran 160km around the Botanical Gardens, and helped raise over $3,000 dollars for Big Group Hug.

“We called it ‘Santa on the Run’,” he says, as it happened “right before Christmas.”

Stavros said they called the marathon run “Santa on the Run”, as it happened “right before Christmas.” Photo: Supplied

“They knew what I did previously so they really organised it this time by creating a website portal, where people can donate or come run with me,” he explains, adding that he will use “any opportunity to utilise” his “running skills to help out.”

Stavros has been running since he was 14 years old and says that “running has always been” his “kind of meditation.”

“Just being able to push myself to the next level, it puts me in a better place in my life as well.”

Stavros also comments that the Marathon will “ironically” take place just before Easter, a fact that connects the fundraising with the spirit of the Easter holidays, saying that he’s got “a lot of people” who “will run” with him, as “it is very common in our community.”

“At the end of the day, if I can’t do it, I’ll finish it by walking,” he says laughingly.

“As long as you move forward.”

DOROTHY KAPETOPOULOS

For Dorothy Kapetopoulos running has been part of her life for about 20 years now, but she’s been running marathons for the last four, saying this experience is “fairly new” to her.

“For me it’s a mental challenge and I like to see how far I can go to make myself overcome my own fears, challenges and barriers,” Dorothy tells Neos Kosmos.

“It’s a very private challenge” she admits, as “it’s one you only have with yourself.”

“Even though people encourage you, or some might be amazed at the end of the day, you are the one who is out there.”

One of Dorothy’s proudest moments was the fundraiser she did for Dementia Australia in 2018, called “Memory Walk & Jog,” which has always been a 10km event.

She became a “Dementia Warrior,” and even though this event didn’t class as a marathon, she helped raise $1,200 dollars, with the support of friends, family and colleagues.

Dorothy became a “Dementia Warrior,” and even though this event didn’t class as a marathon, she helped raise $1,200 dollars for Dementia Australia in 2018, with the support of friends, family and colleagues. Photo: Supplied

Over the years Dorothy has run many times to support Dementia Australia and will be running again on 7 May, 2023.

In July 2022, she also participated in the Australian Outback Marathon which happens annually around Uluru.

In July 2022, Dorothy participated in the Australian Outback Marathon which happens annually around Uluru. Photo: Supplied

The most recent fundraising event Dorothy took part in was the Half Marathon she did for Carman’s Fun Run, in February 2023, helping raise money for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

When training for a marathon, Dorothy will do about 50km to 80km of running, four days week, whereas her average running during a non-training period will vary between 30km to 40km.

“I have always loved running,” she reveals, and describes herself as someone who wanted to “push” herself.

“It’s about trying to find a very sweet spot, between knowing you can keep going both mentally and physically.”

She sees this as an “extension” of what she “can do,” as nutrition, health and exercise have invariably been predominant in her life.

A trip to New York, seems to have triggered a passion for marathon running, aspiring her to achieve a dream goal.

“One of my loves was always the New York marathon,” she says with clear enthusiasm in her voice.

“This was before I ever ran a marathon or half marathon.”

“I felt like one day I wanted to come back to New York and do the New York marathon.”

Dorothy shares a story which even though it might sound “superstitious,” seems to have sparked an intrinsic sense of meaning for her when it came to doing those physically and mentally challenging runs.

“Before my first marathon, which was on a Sunday, I found a one-American-dollar note on Friday, and I thought how uncanny, I’m in Australia and I found this one-American-dollar note,” she recalls.

“It must be my good luck charm,” Dorothy thought to herself, and since then she keeps it in her pocket, and always runs with it.

Dorothy is currently training for the Great Ocean Road Marathon, that will take place between 20 and 21 May 2023, a two-day event where runners will make their way from Lorne to Apollo Bay.

Even though a standard marathon run is 42 kilometres, Dorothy will run one that covers 44 kilometres.

“I will be doing the marathon, which is 44km, so for me that’s another challenge,” she says.

“It will be a little bit tougher.”

“After this one I’m torn between New York and Athens,” she adds.

In fact, Athens is “another one” on Dorothy’s “bucket list,” as it signifies “the place where it all started.”