October 24, 2005
Hopkinton, Mass., October 24, 2005 – Ground will be broken today at the Mile One marker of the Boston Marathon course in Hopkinton for a monumental bronze statue celebrating one of running's most memorable achievements – the 1946 win against all odds by famed Greek marathoner Stylianos Kyriakides.
A gift from New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. to the Hopkinton Athletic Association, the 10-foot high statue will be unveiled in April 2006 and represents Kyriakides and his mentor, Spiridon Louis, winner of the 1896 Olympic Marathon.
The "Spirit of the Marathon" statue will be identical to the one commissioned by New Balance for the Greek city of Marathon which was the starting point of the marathon event during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The statue will be located on a plot donated by Weston Nurseries that is only hundreds of yards from 'Lucky Rock,' the site of the 1946 Boston Marathon starting line. The ground-breaking also marks the first official step in a budding twin-city relationship between Hopkinton and Marathon, Greece.
As the winner of the 50th Boston Marathon, Kyriakides used his triumph to draw attention to the plight of his war- and famine-ravaged homeland. Emaciated and having narrowly escaped execution during World War II during the Nazi occupation of Greece, Kyriakides hadn't raced in six years when he came to Boston in 1946. Despite being told by doctors in Boston that he shouldn't run, Kyriakides ended up recording a nearly mythic performance, ultimately defeating defending champion Johnny Kelley. With victory as a public platform, Kyriakides then went on to serve as an unofficial ambassador for his country, raising money for reconstruction and strengthening international ties between the United States and Greece.
"The marathon is truly the epitome of athletic achievement and New Balance is proud to highlight its popularization and appeal to both runners and spectators as part of our Boston-based love of the event." says Jim Davis, Chairman and CEO of New Balance and a Greek-American. "The "Spirit of the Marathon" statue in Hopkinton is an appropriate and long-lasting symbol of the aspirational nature of the marathon event and its international and local history."
"Today's ground-breaking draws Hopkinton and Marathon, Greece miles closer together – if not literally, then spiritually," noted Tim Kilduff, Hopkinton Athletic Association president. "The statue symbolizes all that's most noble about human endeavor, just like the original Marathon run by Pheidippides, and represents the first, substantive stage in an official twin-city partnership between Marathon and Hopkinton," he explained.
"We're grateful to New Balance, Weston Nurseries and everyone involved in the project," Kilduff continued, adding, "As its future caretakers, we can assure them and the entire running community that 'Spirit' will be in the best of hands."
Sculpted by Mico Kaufman, a fellow of the National Sculpture Society, 'Spirit of the Marathon' is currently being cast by New England Sculpture Service in Chelsea, Mass. Kaufman, a resident of Tewksbury, Mass., has numerous ties through his work to Boston and Greek-American communities, including commissions from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).
About the HAA
The Hopkinton Athletic Association (HAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health, fitness, recreation and civic image of Hopkinton, Mass., through innovative, multi-generational programs and strategic investment in fitness-related projects. Its functions include fundraising, event planning and execution, communications and volunteer coordination.
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure, and kids. New Balance employs more than 2,600 people around the globe, and in 2004 reported worldwide sales of $1.5 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com
About Weston Nurseries
Hopkinton-based Weston Nurseries is a fourth-generation, family-owned nursery currently in its 82nd year.
