On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Consul General of Greece in Boston, the Alpha Omega Council, and the 26.2 Foundation will host the 42nd annual Wreath Ceremony at View Boston. This event serves as the official presentation of the winner’s trophies for the 130th Boston Marathon, held on April 20.
The 2026 ceremony marks three significant historical milestones:
- The 130th Boston Marathon: Presented by Bank of America.
- The 80th Anniversary of Stylianos Kyriakides’ Victory: Honoring his 1946 win, which raised humanitarian aid for post-WWII Greece. The Greek long-distance runner did not travel to America for glory and records; however, he did it in order to raise money for his beloved, war-torn Greece. After crossing the finishing line, clocking in at 2:29:27, Stylianos Kyriakides looked up in the skies and shouted: “For Greece!” He then toured America to raise the desperately needed funds that would be used to help feed and clothe his fellow Greeks back home.
- The 50th Anniversary of the Alpha Omega Council: A Boston-based non-profit dedicated to Hellenic ideals and philanthropy.
The wreaths: From Greece to Boston
The four gold-plated wreaths are crafted from olive branches cut in the Plains of Marathon, Greece. This tradition, which began in 1933, connects the modern race to its ancient origins.
During the ceremony, the Hon. Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece, will formally hand the wreaths to Peter Brown, Chair of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Board of Governors.
Special delegation and honorees
To mark the 80th anniversary of the 1946 race, Dimitri Kyriakides (son of Stylianos Kyriakides) will lead a seven-member delegation from Greece. Four members of this group, including Olympic marathoner Michalis Kalomiris, are scheduled to run the marathon on Monday.
The event will also feature:
- Master of Ceremonies: Arielle Mitropoulos, news anchor and five-time Boston Marathon runner.
- Featured Speakers: Harry J. Vlachos, Esq. (Alpha Omega Council) and Timothy Kilduff (26.2 Foundation).
- Awards: Recognition of individuals for their contributions to the race, including 1976 champion Jack Fultz.
Event schedule
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: View Boston
Marathon Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
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