Running News Daily

At an age when many people have long stepped away from competitive sport, 75-year-old Idomeneas Avramakis continues to demonstrate that determination, resilience and an extraordinary love for running can overcome challenges that would force many others to give up.

The Greek veteran became one of the most memorable figures at the 43rd Athens Authentic Marathon on Sunday, November 8, 2026, after completing the historic race barefoot while dressed as an ancient Greek hoplite warrior. Wearing a traditional-style bronze helmet, a red cloak and carrying a shield and sword, Avramakis brought the event to a remarkable conclusion, receiving a warm ovation as he entered the iconic Panathenaic Stadium.

Representing Heraklion, Crete, the retired employee of the Region of Crete took on the demanding 42.195-kilometre course in an outfit inspired by the ancient Greek soldiers associated with the Battle of Marathon. His arrival at approximately 6:15 p.m., more than nine hours after the race began, marked the closing chapter of an extraordinary day of marathon running.

However, behind the unusual appearance lies a deeply personal story of survival, recovery and an unwavering commitment to life.

Avramakis' journey into barefoot running and ancient Greek warrior attire began approximately 18 years ago, following a serious health crisis that left him fighting for his life. He spent about a month in intensive care and reportedly remained in a coma during that period. Following his recovery, he made a remarkable return to physical activity, abandoning running shoes and choosing to compete barefoot.

Since then, running without shoes has become an essential part of his identity, while the hoplite costume has symbolised what he considers a second opportunity at life. His participation in the Athens Authentic Marathon carries additional meaning because the event celebrates the legendary journey of Pheidippides, the ancient Greek messenger associated with the historic run from Marathon to Athens.

His determination was tested once again in 2022 when he suffered serious injuries in a road accident. The incident required surgery, during which doctors inserted a metal rod into his leg. Despite the lasting difficulties associated with the injury, Avramakis refused to abandon his passion for distance running.

Instead, he gradually returned to training and competition, demonstrating remarkable perseverance. In 2024, at the age of 73, he completed the Athens Authentic Marathon in 8 hours and 47 minutes, despite challenging weather conditions.

His latest appearance at 75 further underlined his extraordinary consistency. According to reports, he has completed more than 54 marathons throughout his running journey, although he has admitted that he has lost count of the exact number.

Avramakis also maintains an active lifestyle away from competition. His training reportedly includes barefoot running sessions lasting between two and a half and three and a half hours every other day, alongside swimming in the sea throughout the year and hiking in the mountains. He believes that the human body can gradually adapt to running without footwear, although his approach remains a personal choice rather than a recommendation for other runners.

The Athens course itself presents a considerable challenge, with a demanding uphill section extending through much of the middle kilometres before the route descends towards the city centre. Completing that distance barefoot, while carrying a shield and sword and wearing a warrior's costume, makes his achievement even more remarkable.

The historic significance of the occasion was also reflected in the atmosphere at the finish line. Sofia Sakorafa, president of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), was present to welcome Avramakis and personally award him his finisher's medal. After crossing the line, the 75-year-old knelt down, bringing an emotional end to his extraordinary marathon journey.

His philosophy is captured in a Greek expression he frequently repeats: "Run so that they don't run you." The saying reflects his belief in remaining active, embracing life and continuing to move forward while the opportunity exists.

He has also made it clear that unfavourable weather conditions are no reason to abandon his passion. In a previous interview with the Cretan newspaper Patris, he expressed his love for running even in heavy rain, revealing the mindset that has kept him committed to the sport for nearly two decades.

Barefoot marathon running has a remarkable history, most famously associated with Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila, who captured Olympic marathon gold at the 1960 Rome Games without shoes. Although Avramakis' story is different, his appearance in Athens once again highlights the many ways people connect with the sport and its history.

The 2026 Athens Authentic Marathon attracted a record 85,000 participants from 124 countries across its various race categories, making it a landmark edition of the historic event. Ethiopia's Manazot Siyum Taferi won the men's marathon in a course-record time of 2:10:03, but as the evening approached, the spotlight shifted to a 75-year-old barefoot runner whose determination had captured the imagination of spectators.

For Avramakis, however, the greatest victory was never about finishing ahead of another competitor. It was about returning to the starting line despite surviving a life-threatening illness, overcoming a serious accident and continuing to pursue his passion well into his seventies.

He may have been the final athlete to complete the 2026 Athens Authentic Marathon, but his arrival became one of the day's most unforgettable moments, proving that sometimes the most inspiring marathon stories are not written by those who reach the finish line first, but by those who refuse to stop moving.