Shortening the Distance from Hopkinton, Ma to Marathon, Greece.

Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer | November 2014

It is 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston and 4,760 miles from Hopkinton to Marathon, Greece, but that distance is soon to be shortened by the strengthening of the sister-city relationship between Hopkinton and Marathon.  In a recent visit to Greece to speak at the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) Marathon Symposium, 26.2 Foundation Executive Director Tim Kilduff also met with the newly appointed Mayor of Marathon, Ilias Psinakis.

“Hello from Athens,” said Kilduff in an email. “Meetings with the new Mayor of Marathon and his team have started ... amazing possibilities for Hopkinton. Can't wait to fill you in.”

In 2006, Hopkinton established a sister city relationship with Marathon, Greece.  In 2008, the Marathon Flame was officially gifted to the town of Hopkinton and now has a permanent home here, the only other place besides Greece where it burns perpetually.  In 2009, the 26.2 Foundation was recognized as the owner and caretaker of the statue of Stylianos Kyriakides that sits at the 1-mile mark of the Boston Marathon at Weston Nurseries.  The statue commemorates Kyriakides win in the 1946 Boston Marathon and how he used that win to raise funds for the people of his country that were starving in Greece after the Nazi occupation. The statue, known as the “Spirit of the Marathon” was commissioned by the New Balance Athletic Shoe Company, sculpted by Miko Kaufman and dedicated in 2006 to mark the 60th anniversary of Kyriakides victory in the 1946 race.   And in 2010, Dimitri Kyriakides, son of Stylianos Kyriakides, became a member of the 26.2 Foundation Board of Directors, which now includes members on two continents.

With a newly elected mayor in Marathon this year, Kilduff arrived bearing a letter from Hopkinton’s Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Todd Cestari congratulating Psinakis.

“We look forward to continuing our warm and friendly working relationship,” wrote Cestari. “I have requested Tim Kilduff, who has been instrumental in cultivating our relationship, to hand deliver this letter to you personally with my best wishes.”

In return, Psinakis wrote, “The new administration of Marathon places great value and expectations on the relationship between our sister-cities of Hopkinton and Marathon.  All of us in Marathon will contribute symbolically and actually in any way we can, in planning and implementing ideas for actions, events and exchanges that will strengthen our bonds, shorten the distance between our cities and disseminate the Marathon principles of selflessness, endurance, perseverance and peace to the world.”

"I believe that since the sister-city relationship started, the election of Ilias Psinakis, as Mayor of Marathon, represents the best opportunity to build a mutually beneficial global network; one that uses the marathon as a platform to connect people and communities,” said Kyriakides.

Most exciting to Kilduff was the idea of establishing Hopkinton as the entry point into the United States for the message that begins in Marathon, as the birthplace of the original race, and spreads outward.

“All of us in Marathon, look forward to bringing our cities closer and spreading our messages farther,” wrote Psinakis.

And spreading the message farther is what Kilduff and the 26.2 Foundation are all about. Through the connection to Kyriakides and his connection to Hopkinton, the sister city of Marathon, Greece, what we call Hopkinton’s Marathon Footprint, is extended outward. And through those connections, Hopkinton’s special place in marathon history, as the start line of the Boston Marathon, can be shared throughout the world.

Kilduff’s comments to the 50 plus international race directors at the close of his presentation at the AIMS Marathon Symposium captures the essence of the entire visit.

“My hope for you, as marathon officials, is that you take a moment to reflect on that what you do is changing people’s outlook on life,” said Kilduff. “You offer them an opportunity to experience the ‘spirit of the marathon’ and the possibilities that present themselves when that spirit is applied.  Stay the course, thank you for what you do; good luck!”