KAMAL DATTA: Welcome, Helen! Good to have you here. HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Thank you for having me. KAMAL DATTA: How are you doing this evening? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: I'm doing great. How about you? KAMAL DATTA: I've been great as well. It's almost the end of summer for us, and I think probably the same for you. It's back to school season, right? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Very bittersweet for me as a teacher, more than for other people. Are you looking forward to going back to the classroom? KAMAL DATTA: Always looking forward to seeing fresh faces and the students, etc. I mean, I like my job, but I also enjoy the summer, especially here in Canada. HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Oh, that's true. Summer is beautiful here in Canada. KAMAL DATTA: Let's talk about your background, Helen. You mentioned you're a teacher. Tell us more about your journey from Cyprus to Canada. HELEN PANAYIOTOU: I was born in Cyprus, and my family were refugees. We eventually settled in Toronto. I became a teacher about 25 years ago. Interestingly, I teach at the same high school I went to. KAMAL DATTA: That must be exciting, teaching in the same high school you graduated from. HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Yes, it is. It feels like I've come full circle, and I enjoy building on what I learned when I was a student. KAMAL DATTA: You mentioned that you picked up running again at the age of 30. What motivated you to start running again? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Well, I used to run as a kid in Cyprus, but when I moved to Canada, I wasn't used to running in cold and wet weather. So, I stopped running for many years. I picked it up again at 30 when I received an iPod Nano as a gift from my students. KAMAL DATTA: How was your experience running your first marathon? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: My first marathon was a mix of excitement and not knowing much about training. But crossing the finish line was an amazing feeling. I was beaming with excitement. KAMAL DATTA: You've been running for over 18 years now and have completed four of the six World Marathon Majors. What keeps you motivated to continue running, especially marathons? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Marathon running challenges me both mentally and physically. The commitment and journey it takes to prepare for a race are what I enjoy the most. It keeps me fit and allows me to connect with people who share a passion for running. KAMAL DATTA: You're aiming to complete the six World Marathon Majors. How did that goal come about? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: It started when I ran the Chicago Marathon and then Boston. I saw the World Marathon Majors concept at an expo and decided it was a goal I wanted to pursue. It combines my love for running and travel. KAMAL DATTA: How important is a support system in your running journey? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: A support system is crucial. While I don't have many running friends, I have friends and family who support me by listening to my experiences, aches, and pains. Having someone there during races is also significant. KAMAL DATTA: Has your support system evolved over the years? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Yes, I've noticed that people are more in tune with the importance of support now, especially with the growth of recreational running. The running community is more supportive than ever before. KAMAL DATTA: What goals are you currently chasing as you prepare for the Berlin Marathon? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Right now, my primary goal is to finish the Berlin Marathon with a smile on my face and within a certain time. I'm looking forward to enjoying the experience and sightseeing with my husband. KAMAL DATTA: How has your training been, especially in the summer season? HELEN PANAYIOTOU: I love training in the summer, and it's been great. However, I've been nursing an injury, which has limited my mileage. But I'm determined to do my best in Berlin. KAMAL DATTA: Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey, Helen. We wish you all the best in the Berlin Marathon and beyond. HELEN PANAYIOTOU: Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to the race and the adventure. Note: This summarized transcript is generated by Gen AI from the raw transcript