NHS & NHM Sponsor “Spirit of Marathon” Exhibit at Camden Yards as Baltimore Orioles Clinch MLB’s America League East Pennant 

For Immediate Release

The National Hellenic Society (NHS) and National Hellenic Museum (NHM) programmatic collaboration includes a traveling Exhibit, “TheSpirit of the Marathon.”  The Exhibit explores the history and impact of the ancient Greek herald, Pheiddippides’ epic 26.2 mile run proclaiming the Greeks victory over the Persians: defeat would have threatened Athenian democracy and changed history.

The “Spirit of the Marathon” traces the race from its ancient roots to modern day venues in the context of compelling stories of runners that stirred the hearts of people worldwide.  The Exhibit’s four themes are:  The Legend and Spirit of Pheidippides, the Modern Marathon, Running with Purpose, and the Spirit Today.

The Exhibit is on display at Camden Yards in Baltimore, home of the Baltimore Orioles and was

Fans and marathoners

recently featured in Boston in tandem with the running of the Boston Marathon.  The Boston Marathon Exhibit was sponsored by NHS Boston, NHM, Alpha Omega Council, 26.2 Foundation, and MetroWest Visitor’s Bureau.

The underlying message of the “Spirit of Marathon” is a race not measured solely in distance and time–but a celebration of purpose, accomplishment, and resolve.  Fanis Economidis, NHS’ Program Committee Chair stated, “the Spirit of the Marathon is about the will to overcome obstacles–personal and collective, a testament to the resiliency of western civilization and celebration of our way of life in America, Greece and all free nations where democracy reigns.  That battle of liberty still wages on despite the passage of thousands of years after Pheidippides echoed: ‘ninikikamen’–we are victorious!”
NHS’ members and owners of the Baltimore

Members of Canada’s Navy in Baltimore for Naval exercises cheering on Toronto Blue Jays

Orioles, the Peter Angelos family facilitated the Exhibit’s display at Camden Yards which coincides with the Oriole’s winning season and clinching of the American League East Division pennant race on, Sep. 16, 2014.  The display will be at Camden Yards for the home stand and then move on to marathon venues across the country.

NHS Executive Director, Art Dimopoulos stated, “the NHS and our partners, the National Hellenic Museum are delighted to have the opportunity to disseminate and celebrate Hellenic heritage to mainstream audiences.  Our story is their story–our heritage is all-embracing and the values and themes we extol resonate with all.”

NHS and NHM invite interested hosts of the “Spirit of the Marathon” in their cities to contact the NHS and NHM.