Runner, Glass and iron sculpture in Athens, Greece

Runner is a glass sculpture at the intersection of Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, composed of thousands of glass pieces that form a human figure in motion. The structure employs its transparent material to convey a sense of energy and forward momentum.

Runner was first made in August 1988 for the month-long Dromena art event organised by the Municipality of Athens under mayor Miltiadis Evert, on the initiative of deputy mayor Stavros Xarchakos. It stood on the Omonia Square fountain, and Melina Mercouri backed keeping it permanently. Dismantled in 1993 for the metro station works, it was rebuilt in May 1994 at its present site.

Varotsos originally titled the work "Xenos" (Stranger), imagining a passer-by who appears and vanishes in the urban landscape, inspired by the crowds crossing Omonia Square. Athenians read the moving figure as a runner, and the nickname replaced the official title. The sculpture was made for the Dromena arts programme of 1988, organised under mayor Miltiadis Evert with deputy mayor Stavros Xarchakos.

The work sits near several bus stops and Megaro Moussikis metro station, making it straightforward to reach on foot or by public transport. Visitors can view and walk around the sculpture from multiple vantage points throughout the day.

The work was first titled Xenos (Stranger), after the transient passers-by of Omonia Square; Athenians renamed it Runner for its stride. It was meant to stand for one month during the 1988 Dromena arts event, but Melina Mercouri urged that it stay. In 2019 culture minister Myrsini Zorba reportedly proposed exchanging it for a statue from Skopje; Varotsos, who holds the copyright, refused.