The Navarino Challenge is set to take place for the fourth consecutive year in Messinia and Costa Navarino on September 9-11, 2016.

The event will be held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of Harokopio University of Athens with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

The non-competitive event aims to raise awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, exercise and the Mediterranean diet to combat childhood obesity. One of the event’s ambassadors is Dean Karnazes who has run 50 consecutive marathons in 50 days across 50 American states.

The Navarino Challenge is expected to attract the interest of sports fans from all over the world who will have the opportunity to take part in sports or entertainment through more than 15 activities designed for the whole family, in Pylos and Costa Navarino. Running routes consists of a half marathon route of 21.1 km, a 10 km route, 5 km route and a children’s 1 km route.

Water is also a strong element at this year’s event with a 1 mile swimming race, baby swimming to introduce youngsters to the water and aqua aerobics

On Friday, September 9, 2016 at 17:00 a bike ride in Voidokilia will be organized in collaboration with Navarino Outdoors. Participants will enjoy the sight of Voidokilia, which has been declared one of the best beaches in the world, and the beautiful scenery around the premises of Costa Navarino.

One of the activities which is being looked forward to this year is the golf, being held for the first time as an official exclusive activity of the Navarino Challenge.

This activity will enjoy the support of Navarino Golf Academy and participants will have the opportunity to play and test their skills on Friday, September 9 at 17:30 and Sunday, September 11 at 18:30 at “The Dunes Course”, the first signature golf field with 18 holes in Greece.

The schedule of the Navarino Challenge also includes TaeKwonDo lessons for children and adults on Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10 at 17:00 at the indoor basketball field within the facilities of the Costa Navarino resort.

Participants will also enjoy the chance to explore Mediterranean food with cooking challenges on the 10th and 11th of September.

For the first time, the Navarino Challenge is also providing a Chatbot to directly deliver all necessary information to participants via Facebook Messenger. Finishing time for the challenges will also be delivered automatically to users via the Chatbot.