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FLAME OF THE MARATHON RUN - HOME

Marathon, Greece and Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA are twin cities that share the common ideals of sport, culture and collaborative citizenship. Marathon and Hopkinton are the starting locations of two of the most historic distance runs: Pheidippides' legendary first 'marathon' in 490 BC and the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest continuous marathon. As stewards of the sport, Marathon and Hopkinton are dedicated to hosting world-class marathons and ensuring the future success of the sport.

To commemorate the 112th running of the Boston Marathon and engage the children of Massachusetts, the first inaugural Flame of the Marathon Run commenced on April 19, 2008 in Ashland at the original Boston Marathon starting line and traveled towards Hopkinton to the present-day marathon starting line.

The citizens of Hopkinton welcomed the Flame of the Marathon; Mayor of Marathon, Greece, Spyros Zagaris; and Dimitris Kyriakides, son of famous 1946 Boston Marathon winner Stylianos Kyriakides, to Hopkinton to help celebrate their twin-city relationship and common heritage as caretakers of the sport of the marathon. The Flame of the Marathon is an eternal symbol of peace, comradeship, collaboration and cultural exchange, which now eternally burns in Hopkinton.

Held outside of Greece for the first time, the Flame of the Marathon Run provided a memorable opportunity for the citizens of Hopkinton to host an event designed to inspire children, educate them about the marathon and encourage their participation in athletics.

The eternal Flame of the Marathon resides and burns year round outside the Hopkinton Police Station as a symbol of the twin cities' common heritage as caretakers of the sport of the marathon.