RADISSON BLU: The “Winners of Life” at the Larnaca Marathon – With a record 13,000 runners – Athlete Georgia Kaltsi, in a wheelchair, made her presence felt – Who we saw
The 8th Radisson Blu International Marathon of Larnaca took place today, Sunday, setting a participation record with over 13,000 runners across all events and establishing Larnaca as a significant destination for sports tourism. Everyone was present, but the loudest applause was reserved for the “winners of life.”
In various events – the marathon (42 km), half-marathon (21 km), 10 km and 5 km races, children’s routes, and Fun Race – runners of all ages, from many countries, as well as people with disabilities, participated equally with all other competitors. The presence of the Christina A. Apostolou Foundation was particularly strong, with a team of runners participating to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in sports, education, and society.
The team included World Champion, blind archer and friend of the Foundation, Christos Misos, sending a powerful message about the strength of will and everyone’s right to participate. One of the Foundation’s main goals is to enhance inclusion in education through programs implemented in schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, aiming to shape a society that embraces diversity.
The marathon started at 7:00 AM with a signal from Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras, followed by the half-marathon start at 07:15 also given by the city’s mayor. At 10:00 AM, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis signaled the start for the 10 km race, and at 11:10 AM, the individual 5 km race began.
The President of the House Annita Dimitriou signaled the start of the corporate 5 km race at 11:30 AM.
The Deputy Minister of Welfare Marilena Evangelou started the McDonald’s Children’s Race 1 km (ages 4-6) at 12:20 PM, followed by the McDonald’s Children’s Race 1 km (ages 7-9) at 12:40 PM.
A snapshot from the 8th Radisson Blu International Marathon of Larnaca, where the McDonald’s Children’s Race 1 km (ages 10–13), McDonald’s Children’s Race 1 km (ages 14–17), and Fun Race 1 km for adults took place, featuring children, families, and individuals of all ages.
This year’s marathon not only showcased competitive spirit and record participation but also clearly highlighted the social and inclusive character of the event, promoting the message that sports and social life must be accessible to everyone.
The Radisson Blu International Marathon of Larnaca hosted this year, among others, Georgia Kaltsi, an athlete from the wheelchair basketball team PASKA and a life coach instructor. An athlete who redefined her life through sports and action after a serious car accident ten
