“Running is Joy!” - Young Artists Bring Color to Poseidon

Children aged 4–14 from across Greece captured the spirit of “Running is Joy!” through colour and imagination in the Panhellenic Children’s Painting Competition, held as part of the 17th International Poseidon Athens Half Marathon on 26 April 2026.

An established tradition of the event, the competition once again invited young artists to explore the joy of movement, friendship and taking part. Their artwork was exhibited in the foyer of the “Sofia Befon” Municipal Indoor Sports Hall in Palaio Faliro, bringing a colourful children’s perspective to the Poseidon celebrations.

Selection and Awards

Following an assessment of the entries, the judging panel selected 20 artworks. First-place winners in each age category were then chosen by a random draw from the selected artworks.

Warm congratulations to our first-place winners:

[Insert the children’s names and awards by age category here.]

We also congratulate all the children whose artwork was selected among the final 20, and every young artist who participated, for their creativity, effort and enthusiasm. Each painting offers a fresh perspective on the joy of sport through a child’s eyes.

Every child receives a certificate of participation in recognition of their effort and creativity. Participating schools and art studios also receive certificates of participation, accompanied by our sincere thanks to the teachers and instructors who encouraged and supported the children.

The Judging Panel

The entries were assessed by the following visual artists:

• Fatma Ergunyer, a long-standing member of Poseidon’s artistic committee, with extensive experience in teaching painting.

• Annita Anagnostopoulou, President of the Palaio Faliro Artists’ Association, painter, photographer and icon painter.

• Evangelia Bolani, a member of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece, responsible for teaching visual arts classes for the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios and cultural associations.

• Christina Chaliori, Dean of the Panhellenic Association of Visual Artists of Greece “Apellis”, painter, exhibition organiser and member of a photography group.

We warmly thank the panel members for their time, the care they devoted to reviewing the children’s creations and their valuable contribution to the competition.

The People Behind the Initiative

Poseidon’s artistic team played an invaluable role in collecting the artwork and supporting the competition. The team comprises Christina Chaliori, Lida Loukrezi, President of the Palaio Faliro Union of Parents’ and Guardians’ Associations, and Mary Barouni, former President of the Union.

Special thanks go to Mary Tryfon, Deputy Mayor for Municipal Nurseries and Municipal Libraries in Palaio Faliro, for her support in collecting entries from across Greece through the Palaio Faliro Central Library.

Dona Katsianou provided administrative support for Poseidon’s arts programme, drawing on her extensive professional experience in supporting senior executives and contributing to the coordination of the initiative.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the children, their families, the schools and the art studios that embraced this year’s competition. Through their participation, Poseidon brings sport, art and children’s creativity together.

For news and updates about the competition, visit our Facebook group.

Running is joy and children give it colour!