The 2026 Boston Marathon Wreath Ceremony: Celebrating 130 Years of Tradition

The 4 gold-plated wreaths are crafted from olive branches chopped successful the Plains of Marathon. Photo supplied

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Consul General of Greece successful Boston, the Alpha Omega Council, and the 26.2 Foundation volition big the 42nd yearly Wreath Ceremony astatine View Boston. This lawsuit serves arsenic the authoritative presumption of the winner’s trophies for the 130th Boston Marathon, held connected April 20.

The 2026 ceremonial marks 3 important humanities milestones:

• The 130th Boston Marathon: Presented by Bank of America.
• The 80th Anniversary of Stylianos Kyriakides’ Victory: Honoring his 1946 win, which raised humanitarian assistance for post-WWII Greece. The Greek long-distance runner did not question to America for glory and records; however, helium did it successful bid to rise wealth for his beloved, war-torn Greece. After crossing the finishing line, clocking successful astatine 2:29:27, Stylianos Kyriakides looked up successful the skies and shouted: “For Greece!” He past toured America to rise the desperately needed funds that would beryllium utilized to assistance provender and clothe his chap Greeks backmost home.
• The 50th Anniversary of the Alpha Omega Council: A Boston-based non-profit dedicated to Hellenic ideals and philanthropy.

Stylianos Kyriakides finishes archetypal successful 1946 Boston Marathon. Credit: Courtesy of Dimitris Kyriakides

The wreaths: From Greece to Boston

The 4 gold-plated wreaths are crafted from olive branches chopped successful the Plains of Marathon, Greece. This tradition, which began successful 1933, connects the modern contention to its past origins.

During the ceremony, the Hon. Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece, volition formally manus the wreaths to Peter Brown, Chair of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Board of Governors.

Special delegation and honorees

To people the 80th day of the 1946 race, Dimitri Kyriakides (son of Stylianos Kyriakides) volition pb a seven-member delegation from Greece. Four members of this group, including Olympic marathoner Michalis Kalomiris, are scheduled to tally the marathon connected Monday.

The lawsuit volition besides feature:

• Master of Ceremonies: Arielle Mitropoulos, quality anchor and five-time Boston Marathon runner.
• Featured Speakers: Harry J. Vlachos, Esq. (Alpha Omega Council) and Timothy Kilduff (26.2 Foundation).
• Awards: Recognition of individuals for their contributions to the race, including 1976 champion Jack Fultz.

Event schedule

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: View Boston

Marathon Date: Monday, April 20, 2026