Athens—Ploutarchos Pourliakas, at 88, made history at the Athens Marathon by becoming the oldest finisher in the race’s 41st edition. Finishing in six hours and 31 minutes, he surpassed his 2023 time by 20 minutes, marking his 12th consecutive successful completion of this celebrated course.
Known as “The Authentic Marathon,” this race retraces the legendary path believed to have been run by the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides. Pourliakas crossed the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the first modern Olympics, where his family, including grandchildren, proudly greeted him. “I finished and even managed to improve my time from last year,” he shared with reporters, adding, “I may be 88, but I feel much younger.”
Pourliakas credits his physical endurance to a life of moderation and discipline. “I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I eat a balanced diet,” he explained, though he does enjoy a small daily sip of tsipouro, a traditional Greek brandy, which he considers more a health boost than a beverage.
Inspired by his ultramarathon-running son, Pourliakas only started running at 73. His training regimen in Kastoria includes five-kilometer runs on weekdays and extended runs of 15 to 20 kilometers over the weekend.
His journey recalls that of Ed Whitlock, a Canadian running icon who broke multiple records later in life, including running a sub-three-hour marathon at 69 and setting a men’s 85+ record at 3:56:38. Both Whitlock and Pourliakas exemplify how dedication and perseverance can defy age, encouraging runners of all ages to aim for new heights.
In a message to aspiring runners of all ages, Pourliakas said, “When you believe in something, there’s no reason not to try. It’s possible for anyone.”
