Marianna loves the sense of freedom she gets from running, especially during early morning runs when the world is still quiet. As a mom and entrepreneur, these moments allow her to find peace and start her day with renewed energy and a positive mindset.

This year, she’s preparing for her first 21km run, inspired by the story of Nicholas Artemiou, a young boy who lost his battle with cancer. She aims to raise €5,000 for the Nicholas Zoe Foundation, which funds pediatric sarcoma research, by encouraging 5,000 people to donate €1 each and support the cause.

What initially made you interested in running?

Being in nature and staying in shape is always a good combination.

Tell us your story, why you run.

Basically, I run for my freedom. As a mum and entrepreneur, it’s difficult to find balance in daily life, right? But when I wake up at 5 a.m., nobody is there, and nobody needs me, so I feel free to go for a run without anyone even noticing. The adrenaline hits, and I get to watch the sunrise in peace, listen to the birds singing, focus on my breathing, and just enjoy myself. It’s the best reward for someone, trust me. When I come back home, I have a cold shower, and the day starts in the best possible way. It’s a mind game: if I woke up and accomplished one task already, then I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.

Have you ever participated in any races or marathons for a charitable cause? What motivated you to combine running with supporting a cause?

I ran a 10km race for Rare Disease Day to help raise awareness. Combining running with a cause makes the experience more meaningful. It’s not just about reaching the finish line; it’s about running with a purpose that goes beyond yourself.

Please give us more details if you are running for a specific cause this year.

This year, I’m aiming to run 21km for the first time in my life. It seems scary, but I’m preparing for it. I want to inspire others to start running and, more importantly, to draw attention to Nicholas Artemiou’s story—a young boy who bravely fought cancer but sadly lost the battle last year. Meeting his mother, Alexia Potamitou, inspired me to sign up for this event. Despite losing her son, she found the strength to create ‘The Nicholas Zoe Foundation,’ a non-profit dedicated to advocating for pediatric sarcoma patients by funding research and fostering awareness about the disease. I’m hoping to raise €5,000 for the foundation. How? By simply asking 5,000 people to donate €1 each. I believe in a kinder world and that people will contribute to this noble quest.