When I first moved to Hopkinton, my daily routine consisted of an exhausting bus ride home after a rough school day. Looking out the window, I almost always noticed a statue, what seemed like a runner being guided forward by another man. At first, it was just part of the scenery. However, it didn’t take long for me to start noticing this statue everywhere: in local news reports, school magazines and even at the top of the Hopkinton Independent website, where the statue serves as a part of the logo.

My growing curiosity pushed me forward to learn the history of this sculpture. I discovered it is called “The Spirit of the Marathon,” and the story behind it completely changed my perspective.

The sculpture honors Stylianos Kyriakides, a Greek Cypriot runner who won the 1946 Boston Marathon against astonishing odds. Having survived the brutal Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II, Kyriakides arrived in Boston drained and weak. Doctors warned him he could die if he ran, but he didn’t listen. What inspired me most was his motivation. He wasn’t running for personal prize or reputation. He ran to raise money, food and medical aid for his homeland. Upon crossing the finish line, he shouted, “For Greece!” and used his victory to save millions of lives.

Learning about his selflessness made me appreciate Hopkinton’s deep historical roots. I also discovered an exact twin of our sculpture stands in Marathon, Greece, which is Hopkinton’s official sister city. It’s wild to think a shared history can tie two towns together across thousands of miles of ocean.

Today, when my school bus passes the monument, it is no longer just a meaningless piece of old bronze. It is a symbol of courage, resilience and unity. A reminder to find strength during difficult moments. Whenever I feel completely drained after an exhausting day at school, I look out the window at Kyriakides. His story reminds me to keep pushing forward, stay motivated and overcome my challenges, just like he did.

— Kubra Dikbiyik, Hopkinton High School student

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