Community leader Mike Zervos OAM will take part in this year’s Melbourne Marathon on October 12, running his 20th race at age 70 to raise awareness for Courage to Care Victoria, the anti-discrimination charity he leads.
Zervos, CEO of Courage to Care Victoria, a B’nai B’rith initiative that teaches students to be “Upstanders” against prejudice, said his run is a symbolic stand to “reclaim the streets” from recent displays of hate and extremism.
“In this Melbourne that feels dark and unfamiliar, there is a contrast that gives me hope,” he said. “On October 12, our streets will not be filled with hate, but with thousands of Victorians from all backgrounds moving forward together.”
Zervos said he will be “running to race against racism”, using the event to highlight the importance of empathy, education, and collective action against discrimination.
Through Courage to Care, Holocaust survivors and volunteers visit schools across Victoria to inspire students to speak out against hate. “If these students can do it, why can’t every single one of us?” Zervos said.
He hopes his marathon will encourage others to join the fight for tolerance and inclusion. “The choice is ours: action or silence,” he said. “I’ll be running slowly—but with purpose—to reclaim our streets.”
