There is your mother, your father, your siblings, your cousins—your family in general. There is also your best friend (like a brother), an acquaintance, a friend—whatever you want to call them. All of them play a role in your life, in their own way—small or big.

The Athens Marathon is approaching once again. It’s my fourth—sixth overall.

My friend Pavlos is a man in his fifties with the soul and energy of a twenty-year-old. He’s everywhere. Always involved.

In every Athens Marathon, as I approach Agia Paraskevi, I look for the pink jacket. Pavlos’ pink jacket. With one hand, he holds his phone and records a video; with the other, he raises a clenched fist. His mouth—but even more his eyes—are shouting: “Let’s go, Vasilis! Push! You’ve got this! Bravo, Vasilis!”

I look at him, and he looks at me. I cry. In every marathon, I cry. Pavlos, thank you. I never told you.

May, Copenhagen Marathon, 2023.

I’m going for my first sub-3. At the 21st kilometer—Pavlos. Same jacket. Same look. Same feeling.

At the 40th kilometer—I’m on the edge. For the record, I finished in 2:59:36.

My body has almost given up. My mind too. I have just a little—very little—soul left.

And then I hear him. I hear him again, at the final turn: “Vasilis, let’s go! It’s over! You’ve got this!”

I answer him. I don’t know where I found the strength: “Pavlos… I can’t anymore. I’m done. I’m finished.”

And he replies: “Let’s go, Vasilis! It’s done! Vasilis, it’s done! Let’s go!” And he smiles.

2:59:36. I collapse.

I collect my things. Twenty notifications, calls, messages on my phone (in success, everyone is there). But I’m looking for the letter “P”. Pavlos.

I call him.

Pavlos, thank you.
And I cry.

“Vasilis, you’re amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you—I had to see my daughter. I’m leaving for Sweden.”

Now I can tell you this:

Sub-3 is great. The photos are great. The congratulations are great. But nothing compares to Pavlos’ voice through every kilometer, and the feeling that someone truly loves you… I doubt I’ll ever find that again in my life.

Whatever you do in life. Wherever you go. However far you run. Whatever records you break.