On November 20, Iphigenia Kanara, the Consul General of Greece in New York, presented four handcrafted gold olive wreaths to the organisers of the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon. This is the first time that marathon winners will receive real olive wreaths, connecting the race to its ancient Greek roots.
This initiative is a partnership between the Consulate General of Greece in New York and the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley. It highlights the ties between Greece, the birthplace of the marathon, and Philadelphia, a city known for its connection to American democracy.
In her speech, Consul General Kanara talked about the significance of the marathon, sharing the story of Pheidippides, the ancient runner who delivered news from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC. She called the marathon “a story of courage and endurance” that continues to inspire people around the world. This initiative celebrates hard work and athletic achievement while encouraging young people to connect their history with today’s lives.
Officials in Philadelphia strongly supported this collaboration. David G. Wilson, Chair and Deputy Managing Director, welcomed the Greek-American community and emphasised the shared values between Greece and Philadelphia. Adam Thiel, Managing Director and a representative of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, highlighted the importance of initiatives like this for enhancing Philadelphia’s international reputation.
The ceremony included notable members of the Greek-American community, marathon officials, city representatives, and sponsors. Judge Harry Karapalides, President of the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies, described the wreaths as “a gift of beauty, memory, and meaning.” John Vasiliou, President of the Philadelphia Parade Committee 2025, welcomed Philadelphia to this tradition, which is also honoured in Boston and Chicago.
On November 21, Kanara and Philadelphia’s CEO opened the marathon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, starting a three-day festival of races and athletic events.
The gold olive wreaths represent a connection between two democracies and their shared values of resilience, democracy, and peace. Winners of the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon will continue this historic tradition, marking the start of a new chapter in international cooperation and celebration through sports.