Panagiotis Karaiskos, an athlete from G.S. Iraklis, won the 42nd Athens Authentic Marathon, finishing first at the Panathenaic Stadium with a time of 2:20:08, improving his previous year’s record.
Beyond his athletic triumph lies an inspiring personal story. As a teenager, he struggled with drug addiction but, with the unwavering support of his family and a strong will, managed to turn his life around through running. Speaking publicly about his past, Karaiskos explained how encounters with the justice system and the loss of friends made him decide to change his path.
Today, he dedicates his victories to his parents and delivers a powerful message: it’s never too late to start over, and the strength to change comes from within.
