Haftu Strintzos wins the Melbourne half marathon

Thousands of radical of each ages took portion successful the Melbourne Marathon connected Sunday. The winner of this year’s afloat marathon was Jack Rayner.

Among the participants were galore Greeks. Notably, Greek Australian long-distance runner Haftu Strintzos who came archetypal successful the Half Marathon, which helium entered for the 2nd clip — making his mother, Maria Strintzos, proud. She was featured a fewer years agone successful Neos Kosmos.

Last year, Haftu Strintzos had finished successful 2nd place. Both helium and his mother, Maria Strintzos, stock an bonzer story.

Here’s what Maria Kampyli had antecedently written successful Neos Kosmos astir Maria Strintzos:

“In the dictionary of humanity, under the introduction ‘humanitarian’, the sanction Maria Strintzos should appear. Thirty years spent supporting the underprivileged successful Indonesia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea — arsenic well arsenic disadvantaged women successful Australia — person made her synonymous with compassion and solidarity successful the minds of each who cognize her.

She grew up successful South Melbourne and, aft completing her Education studies astatine the University of Melbourne, worked successful a lodging work for women with intelligence wellness issues.

In 1988, she became the archetypal Greek Australian to articulation the Australian Volunteers Abroad program, spending two years successful Indonesia under Suharto, processing support programs for vulnerable women successful the region.

She aboriginal joined Community Aid Abroad (now known arsenic Oxfam Australia) arsenic manager of the Horn of Africa Project, overseeing assistance programs successful Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea.

Seven years later, she joined the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), serving arsenic caput of fundraising and nationalist relations, working for the welfare and nutrient information of 4 cardinal of the world’s poorest and hungriest people.

In 2005, she besides founded the Hawzien Orphan Project, which supported hundreds of children — including her adopted son, Haftu, whom she brought backmost with her to Australia successful 2011, returning location aft 18 years successful Addis Ababa.”