1st Nea Smyrni Historic Run through history from the old Smyrna to the new

By Mary Sinanidis

The 1st Nea Smyrni Historic Run that took place on Sunday, October 4, was created to honor the legacy of the large number of Greek refugees from Turkey that took root here following the 1922 catastrophe of Smyrna. After all, what better way for the people of Nea Smyrni to pay tribute to the wave of refugees that once flooded into their suburb than by creating a tsunami of runners?

The new Smyrni was modelled on the old Smyrna of their dreams and memories. Unfortunately, for these uprooted people, the middle-class Nea Smyrni could never match the beauty and harmony of the aristocratic homes they had left behind… The runners on Sunday, however, who never knew the Smyrna of their grandparents saw the race as cause for celebration rather than nostalgia.

They were there to run for the sake of history along the modern tram line that links the city center to the Athens coast. There were races for everyone – 2.5km, 5km and 10km too!

And there I was feeling a little awkward and out of place! Hardly an athlete, I tried to hide in my oversized white T-shirt with artist Alekos Fassianos’ depiction of ancient Kallipateira, the only woman ever to have attended the Olympic Games.

Waiting in the sun for the starting gun to go off, there must have been hundreds of us at the 2.5 km line. I sized up my competition that included energetic teenagers, toddlers barely able to walk, brave senior citizens, sports teams, a woman in a wheelchair and former Olympic champions in the front line!

Hardly a uniform group of people, but it was only a matter of time before they all became one large sweaty, energetic, pulsating crowd. Very soon, I, too, was swallowed up by the spirit of the crowd and the pandemonium of the moment!

The gun went off in what was a relief as things had started to get a bit squashy. Initially, I had believed that I’d walk the race, but there were volunteers cheering everyone one and live music and happenings along the route. Quite soon, I forgot that I was running and found myself half-dancing, half-trotting, power-walking… and people watching all at the same time! It was all in the spirit of fun, sports and, let’s not forget, history!

I wondered what the pioneers, who built this suburb after fleeing from their homes, would have thought of a race along the tramlines to honor their plight from the old Smyrna to the new. Their progeny was there, running, but blissfully unaware of the spices and oriental delights of the old Smyrna that is lost forever in time. Their new home – Nea Smyrni – only exists thanks to the ashes left behind on the Turkish port of Asia Minor. They’ve done all they can to keep the legacy alive with picturesque squares, fountains, the suburb’s very own Panionios sports stadium, a myriad of training centers, the Estia bequeathed by Aristotle Onassis, a well-cared for park (Alsos) and a bell tower at St. Fotini Church that is the exact replica of one that had stood in the original Smyrna.

Though Nea Smyrni may lack the grandeur of the old Smyrna, it lacks nothing when it comes to organization. At a time when Athens is beating to the tune of the Greek crisis, this middle-class suburb has managed to keep up projects aimed at the beautification of the neighborhood as well as offering cultural events.

The 1st Nea Smyrni Historic Run was just another fine example of the spirit of the southern suburb… or rather, the spirit of its ancestors that is very much alive.

CLICK HERE for the official site of the 1st Nea Smyrni Historic Run