At the age of 23 he was an overweight and a fanatical smoker. A few years later his life changed radically. He made the big decision. He lost the extra pounds, quit smoking and became a long distance runner.
He was born and raised in Drama where he continues to live. He studied German Philology in Thessaloniki while until the middle of his student life he did not even have in mind that he would run hundreds of kilometers in the Arctic and in the desert. Marios Giannakou is the only Greek who finished in the jungle super marathon while in October 2020 he climbed Olympus having on his back the 22-year-old with mobility problems Eleftheria helping her to fulfill her life dream "to see the view of Greece from above".
As soon as Marios Giannakou and Eleftheria Tosiou reached the top of Olympus, they sent their own message, that "there is nothing more real than a dream", adding "when we want to achieve things for our fellow man, we must start thinking a lot simpler things, like not parking our car in a wheelchair. "
«Until 2014 I had a completely different life from the one I have today. I was a smoker and weighed 140 kilos. At some point I realized that the life I lead does not represent me and does not make me happy. In the beginning I started walking and in a short time the ultramarathon entered my life " reports to newsbeast.gr.
He has run the 150-kilometer race in the Arctic, the world's largest 270-kilometer desert super marathon and the 250-kilometer race in the Central American jungle. As he explains, each of his routes gave him something.
"In these efforts you can not forget anything, it is the suffering that does not allow it," he emphasizes.
With the big goal of managing to run a 500 km race at the North Pole, Marios Giannakou, since he changed his life, tries in every way to stand by people who want to change their habits and the way they live. As he states, he does not consider himself a "motivational speaker" as many have described him.
"At first I do not consider myself capable or an example to motivate a person. All people could say that in their way they help their fellow human beings for the good. At least that's what I want to believe. I just communicate my story "he notes.
- Would you take part in any of these difficult races again?
I do not like to be absolute as a person but I believe that what I had to get internally from these efforts I got. There are other things in life that are even more important than putting yourself and your people constantly in such a process. I was lucky and I feel grateful that nature allowed me to live these situations. It would be futile and selfish to try again.
- Were there moments when you felt scared and thought of giving them up?
Fear is an integral part and necessary I would say. With fear you prevent bad situations. It would be irresponsible to say that I was not afraid and we must always single out the fine line of overwork that can bring you to a very difficult time. Also the negative thought of abandonment is something that I constantly think about and weigh in terms of my physical safety. I have never given up on any endeavor but I would do it with great ease to return safely to my own people. There is nothing more important than human life.
Eleftheria expressed its desire and our team just followed. It was a collective endeavor with a sacred purpose. Such a thing could not fail.
- To be in shape you need to do daily training? What program do you follow?
At first I do not consider myself an athlete so I do not do any specific training. I create time to run because I need it. Especially in a daily life where I have to coordinate professional obligations, running for me is a form of rest and not the opposite.
- What is the next challenge?
I would like to run a 500 km race at the North Pole.
- Who supports you in your fight?
I could not ignore the support of Allianz Direct, Columbia, Ford and HRON. He is by my side in every endeavor and dream. My family too, my friends and my man are my biggest motivations to get better and I thank them.
