This heartwarming advertisement for the upcoming 2019 Crete Half Marathon has gone viral on the Greek Internet with more than 100,000 views.
But be warned — you may want to reach for your tissue box before you see it.
The video, called “My Friend the Cellphone,” features a young boy named Manos who roams throughout the neighborhood looking for someone to be active with him — play basketball, run — anything.
But time and time again, he encounters the same problem — everyone is glued to a cellphone. Whether at the kafeneio or the soccer field, mobile phones have taken people away from truly socializing — let alone running in a marathon. Even in Manos’ own home, his brother sits mesmerized by a video game on the TV screen.
But Manos doesn’t want to play video games with his brother — he wants to go out and play ball.
After roaming the village for a while, he notices a child named George sitting and reading a braille book. Manos gets excited and suggests that they run. After hesitating at first, George accepts — and wins.
The Athletic Health Club in Heraklion, which created the ad, wrote the following message in connection to the video.
“Everyone has a right in sports and everyone can run and play. Don’t search for any other excuses. Stand up, leave your pc, drop your phone, get outside… Walk… Run… “
The Crete Half Marathon is a circle race in the center of the island passing across some of the most picturesque villages of the municipality Minoa Pediadas and through olive groves and vineyards. An international event open to all, the event will take place on October 6, 2019 in Arkalochori.
See the advertisement
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