Marathon champion inspires children’s book
Inspired by the true story of veteran Marathon champion Maria Polyzou, the fairy tale “A Giant Called M.P.” by Magda Costopoulou-Beriou is out in both Greek and English editions, coinciding with the Athens Marathon-The Authentic that takes place this Sunday.
Children as well as adult readers are invited to join this giant figure on her journey to the moon, which she manages to reach just as she had dreamed of since being a little girl: By running all the way!
Readers will discover the value of human effort and the miracle of willpower, and they will learn to dream and dare, just as Polyzou managed to become the sole woman since antiquity who has managed to complete the Pheidippides Feat, ie to run from Athens to Sparta and back and then to Marathon, completing a run of 524 kilometers.
Polyzou expressed to Kathimerini her amazement with the book, admitting she was not aware that her feat back in 2010 had inspired the writer in such a way as to create a children’s book with this positive message of hope and human will.
The book is on sale at the Runner Store in Golden Hall, 37A Kifissias, Maroussi. During the Athens Marathon Expo at the Faliro Indoor Hall – known as the Tae Kwon Do Olympic facility – from this Thursday, November 10, the book will also be sold at Stand 90.
Part of the proceeds of the book will be donated to the “Orama Elpidas” non-governmental organization toward the operation of the Volunteer Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
