As the world's oldest annual marathon, the Boston Marathon is steeped in traditions that connect its storied past to its thrilling present. One of the most visually striking is the crowning of its champions with gold-painted olive wreaths. This year, on April 20th, four winners—in the men’s and women’s open and wheelchair divisions—will be honored with this unique symbol of victory.

The tradition is a direct link to the marathon's ancient Greek origins. The race itself commemorates the legendary run of Pheidippides from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens. In a beautiful full-circle moment, the wreaths presented in Boston are crafted from olive branches cut from those same historic plains in Marathon, Greece. They symbolize not just athletic triumph, but also peace, freedom, and democracy.

This deep connection was formally revived in 1984, but its roots in Boston run even deeper. From 1933 to 1945, Greek-American legislator George Demeter introduced the ancient practice of crowning winners with laurel. Today, the wreaths are presented by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston with support from the Alpha Omega Council and the 26.2 Foundation, ensuring the legacy continues.

Each wreath is more than a trophy; it's a tribute to history. Inscribed on them is a dedication to the 1946 Boston Marathon champion, Stylianos Kyriakides, a Greek runner whose own victory carried profound meaning in the aftermath of World War II. When a modern champion dons this wreath, they are connecting with over a century of athletic excellence and a tradition that stretches back millennia, wearing a crown that truly represents the enduring spirit of the marathon.