The "Orizontas" Association, continuing with consistency and vision its work to support children and adults suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses, is pleased to announce the participation of Thomas Tsilipiras in the Tokyo Marathon, on March 1, 2026, one of the six top marathons in the world (Abbott World Marathon Majors). Thomas Tsilipiras' participation in the Tokyo Marathon is not only
a top athletic achievement, but also an act of service and solidarity. Inspired by the initiative of Michalis Chrysocherakis, whom he recently met at the New York Marathon, Thomas decided to dedicate his own race to the same cause: raising money to purchase a transplant storage tank for the Hematology Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion. The meeting of the two athletes at the New York Marathon was a symbolic point of continuity — like a baton passing from one to the other, not for a simple race, but for the most important collective race: the race for life.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors, which includes the Tokyo Marathon, are not only top sporting events of global scope, but also institutions with a strong charitable character, promoting the collection of resources for social and humanitarian purposes around the world.
By participating in the Tokyo Marathon, Thomas Tsilipiras completes an extremely demanding undertaking: completing all six original Abbott World Marathon Majors (Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo) in less than 23 months. An undertaking that requires strict qualifying limits, a high level of preparation and immense mental and physical endurance — especially for an amateur athlete with family and professional obligations. With his finish in Tokyo, Thomas Tsilipiras will become the 42nd Greek to be inducted into the Six Star Hall of Fame of the World Marathon Majors (https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/six-star/hall-of-fame), achieving, in fact, probably the second fastest average performance among Greek Six Star Finishers to date.
Thomas Tsilipiras is a triathlete with significant competitive experience and consistency in the field of endurance racing:
- Finishing in an IRONMAN 140.6 triathlon race (3,8 km swim – 180 km run)
cycling – 42,2 km running), Emilia Romagna – September 2023
- 5 Half IRONMAN 70.3 races
- 11 Marathoners, with three consecutive years among the top
Greek marathon runners, with times under 3 hours
- Participation in over 60 asphalt and mountain races, at distances from 10
up to 42 kilometers
The graft storage tank is a critical medical equipment for the proper collection, cryopreservation and safe preservation of grafts, enhancing
decisively the effectiveness of autologous transplants in patients with lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other hematological malignancies. For many of these patients, autologous transplantation is the only way to treat. This is an investment of a lifetime, which will benefit hundreds of patients in Crete and throughout Greece.
Thomas Tsilipiras' effort is part of the broader Actions program of the "Horizonta" Association to raise the required amount for the purchase of the tank.
Those who wish to support the effort can contribute financially, strengthening a cause that transforms sports into an act of life.
PIRAEUS BANK – IBAN: GR94 0172 7580 0057 5802 3813 023
Reason: TOKYO
(Beneficiary Name: Voluntary Contribution and Support Association)
The fight continues. Because every kilometer can become hope.
