© Santorini Experience by Elias Lefas
A myriad of athletic events have popped up around Greece over the last few years – most of them running races, triathlons, or versions thereof.
Perhaps the only surprising thing about this development is that it didn’t happen sooner. Being the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the inspiration for modern marathons, it seems only natural for Greece to be a top sports tourism destination, with plenty of events and races for athletes to join.
Indeed, there are already some long-established events. The 37th edition of the Athens Authentic Marathon this November will welcome 20,000 runners from around the world according to the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS).
But in recent years the number of events has seen something of an explosion, with destinations large and small seeking to woo participants from near and far, bolstering tourism in the offseason and shoulder months.
The strongest selling point of these races is invariably Greece’s great natural beauty and ideal climate. But the quality of the events is also rising fast, offering athletes and their families seamless organization and exceptional moments both on and off the racecourse.
© Shutterstock
On April 15th 2019, the first Ironman 70,3 triathlon to ever take place in Greece was held at Costa Navarino, in the Messinia region of the Peloponnese. It was the biggest triathlon ever held in the country, and like all the races held in Greece, it was characterized by nature. It comprised a 1,9 km swim in the Ionian Sea, a 90 km cycling route through ancient olive groves, and a half marathon by the coast and the protected, bird-rich wetland of the Gialova Lagoon.
Runner and event organizer Leftheris Plakidas, who recently published a book called “Taxideuontas” (“Traveling”) about the places he’s seen while crisscrossing Greece for athletic events, says: “Greece is a blessed country, with almost any imaginable landscape. The incredible mountains feature lakes and rivers, canyons and forests; that’s why we have over 400 mountain races. These races will move you. The routes are beautiful, hardly touched, and you would never see them if it wasn’t for these races. Then there are the islands, where every route has a view of the horizon where the sky meets the sea. They are often three-day events, and full of the joy of sports tourism.”
Athens Authentic Marathon
At one notable island event, Santorini Experience, athletes run along the side of the caldera, and swim within it.
“I’ve swam open-water all over the world, but nothing beats the energy of Santorini’s caldera. The wind is so strong, you can smell the sulfur, and the image of the giant rock wall of the island approaching is just incredible,” says Greek national team member George Arniakos about his participation in the event, which takes place every year in October.
Nature is also the star during the smaller events, like the intimate Wave Running – a barefoot running race which takes place in July or August along the coast of the delta of the Nestos River, a Natura 2000 site.
Ilias Germantzidis, co-founder of the event, said: “Getting close to nature is a big part of an athlete’s performance. This race is important because it also boosts the area’s growth as a cultural destination and as a nature destination”.
© Shutterstock
Constantinos Mitropapas is the founder of Trimore Multisports Tour, and organizes a number of races around Greece throughout the year, including the XTERRA and Isoman events. He explains that just like with food, wine and activities, sporting events are another tourism sector that (literally) leaped forward during the economic crisis as a way to bring more visitors to places that needed a boost.
“Sports tourism was a great challenge for Greece, and there are some shining examples of big world-class productions – such as the Athens Authentic Marathon, the Costa Navarino Ironman 70.3, the XTERRA Greece Off-Road Championship and the events in Spetses – the Spetsathlon & the Spetses Mini Marathon. The next challenge is for small events to transform to meet new and higher quality and safety standards in the near future,” he adds.
Using sports tourism as a way to lure more visitors in the low and shoulder season is a win-win situation for the local businesses and for the visitors – who get to experience places at their most authentic free from summer hordes.
Robert Karalis, the general manager of the Cyclades Trail Cup which organizes events on several islands, explains: “Most Cycladic islands have visitors for three to four months per year. With alternative and sports tourism, that can change. On Tinos, for example, we have a trail race on December 1st. It’s a chance to see the dry island that everyone knows covered in green and with small rivers running all over”.
Ironman 70,3 Greece
© six.for.one photography
Aside from picking races that take place in the low season, Karalis recommends considering races taking place at locations a bit off the beaten track.
Before registering for a race however, have a good look at its online presence. Serious event organizers will post frequently on their social media, and you’ll be able to find video content from previous years. While articles about the events are usually only written in Greek, it’s a good sign if there are many of them.
Bear in mind that very few events are all-inclusive; you usually need to plan your own transportation and accommodation. Still, before you do so, it can be worth reaching out to the organizers to see if they have any recommendations, or if any hotels are sponsoring the event (as those hoteliers will be fully informed and geared to helping you stay on schedule).
The calendar below includes annual athletic events taking place all over Greece in 2019-2020, on the dates announced before the day this article was published. The dates are subject to change so please check with the organizers for any event you are interested in.
Notice an event missing from the calendar? E-mail us at [email protected] with the subject heading “Sports Tourism”.
18-19/10/19 Donoussa Trail Running – Donoussa, Cyclades
19/10/19 International Thessaloniki Night Half Marathon – Thessaloniki, Macedonia
19-20/10/19 Kythnos Challenge, Cyclades Trail Cup – Kythnos, Cyclades
20/10/19 Open Door Run – Argyroupolis, Athens, Central Greece
20/10/19 Vartzakeios Run in Piraeus – Piraeus, Athens, Central Greece
20/10/19 Vikos Street Relays – Larissa, Thessaly
20t/10/19 Oceanlava Rhodes – Rhodes, Dodecanese
20/10/19 Sprint & Olympic Triathlon Sxoinias – Sxoinias, Attica, Central Greece
20/10/19 Paraktios Dromos Igoumenitsas – Igoumenitsa, Epirus
20/10/19 Ladies Run – Astir Beach, Athens Riviera, Central Greece
20/10/19 Parnitha Lake Run – Parnitha, Athens, Central Greece
26/10/19 Pedion Areos Park Run – Athens, Central Greece
27/10/19 Meteora Trail Run – Meteora, Thessaly
27/10/19 Water Night Route – Edessa, Macedonia
Date to be announced for:
Kos Marina Triathlon (Kos, Dodecanese).
© Donoussa Trail Running
2-3/11/19 XTERRA Open Water Swimming Challenge – Varkiza, Athens, Central Greece
2-3/11/19 Spartan Trifecta World Championship – Sparta, Peloponnese
3/11/19 Lefkas Trail Run – Lefkada, Ionian Islands
3/11/19 Vikos Street Relays – Trikala, Thessaly
10/11/19 Athens Authentic Marathon – Athens, Central Greece
15-17/11/19 TRIMORE SwimRun Hydra – Hydra, Saronic Islands
17/11/19 Vikos Street Relays – Lamia, Central Greece
17/11/19 Tuvunu Trail Run – Nymfaias, Macedonia
24/11/19 Nafplio Castle Run – Nafplio, Peloponnese
24/11/19 Athens Health Run – Athens, Central Greece
24/11/19 Demokritus Half Marathon Xanthi – Xanthi, Macedonia
30/11/19 Pedion Areos Park Run – Athens, Central Greece
30-1/11/19 December Tinos Challenge, Cyclades Trail Cup – Tinos, Cyclades
30-1/12/19 December Tinos Challenge, Cyclades Trail Cup – Tinos, Cyclades
7-8/12/19 Filippios Dromos – Vergina, Macedonia
8/12/19 Olympus Paths – Mount Olympus, Macedonia
21/12/19 Pedion Areos Park Run – Athens, Central Greece
Running on Mount Olympus
© Shutterrstock
19/1/20 Veikou Trail – Athens, central Greece
26/1/20 Ioannis Kapodistrias Run – Aegina, Saronic Islands
26/1/20 Salewa Rogkas – Mount Olympus, Macedonia
23/2/20 Lycabettus Run – Run the Hill – Athens, Central Greece
Date to be announced for:
“Efkleios” Agonas (Ymittos, Athens, Central Greece).
8/3/20 Nafplio Marathon – Nafplio, Peloponnese
8/3/20 Route of Truce – Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese
8/3/20 Chortiatis Trail Run – Chortiati, Thessaloniki, Macedonia
8/3/20 Katerini Run – Katerini, Macedonia
22/3/20 Athens Half Marathon – Athens, Central Greece
23-24/3/20 Lakedaimonios Agonas – Mystras, Peloponnese
4/4/20 Hydra’s Trail Race – Hydra, Saronic Islands
4-5/4/20 Kea Challenge, Cyclades Trail Cup – Kea, Cyclades
5/4/20 IRONMAN 70.3 GREECE – Costa Navarino, Peloponnese
5/4/20 Plastira Lake Trail Race – Lake Plastira, Thessaly
5t/4/20 21 Mathiton – Makrochori Imathia, Macedonia
10/4/20 Kassios Dias Trail Race – Corfu, Ionian
12/4/20 Crete Marathon – Crete
12/4/20 International Alexander the Great Marathon – Thessaloniki, Macedonia
24-26/4/20 XTERRA Offroad Triathlon – Vouliagmeni, Athens, Central Greece
25/4/20 Kalamata 10K Race – Kalamata, Peloponnese
25/4/20 Volos Half Marathon – Volos, Thessaly
26/4/20 Poseidonios Half Marathon – Athens, Central Greece
26/4/20 Kissavos Marathon Race – Kissavos, Thessaly
Date to be announced for:
Olympians Run International (Maroussi, Athens, Central Greece).
Santorini Experience
© Elias Lefas
2-3/5/20 Corfu Mountain Trail – Corfu, Ionian Islands
3/5/20 Roads to Rhodes Marathon – Rhodes, Dodecanese
3/5/20 Anopaia Atrapos – Lamia, Central Greece
6-10/5/20 No Finish Line – Athens, Central Greece
10/5/20 Agriniou Trail Run – Agrinio, Central Greece
10/5/20 Eirinodromia – Ag. Dimitrio, Athens, Central Greece
15-17/5/20 Spetsathlon – Spetses, Saronic Islands
23/5/20 Psathathlon Triathlon Sprint – Alepochori, Central Greece
30-31/5/20 Porosea – Poros, Saronic Islands
30-31/5/20 The Bridge Experience – Rio-Antirrio Bridge
Dates to be announced for:
Historic Run (Epidavros, Peloponnese), Afaias Cup (Aegina, Saronic Islands), Run Together (Thessaloniki, Macedonia), Run Lake Gitzi (Lake Gitzi, Thessaly), Trikala City Run (Trikala, Thessaly), Amorgos Trail Challenge (Amorgos, Cyclades), Athlos Tzoumerkon (Tsoumerka, Epirus), Ioannina Night Half Marathon (Ioannina, Epirus), Lamia Night & Run (Lamia, Central Greece), Orliakas Race (Grevena, Macedonia), Run the Theatre (Megalopoli, Arcadia, Peloponnese), Ippokratios Laikos Agonas Dromou (Larissa, Thessaly), Vikos Street Relays (Thessaloniki, Macedonia), Aegina Mountain 15K Race (Aegina, Saronic Islands), Pourlia Trail (Pieria, Macedonia), Via Egnatia Run (Alexandroupoli, Macedonia), Marathon lake Run (Marathon, Attica, Central Greece), Atlas Trail Running (Malakasa, Attica, Central Greece).
7/6/20 Alonissos Challenge – Alonissos, Sporades
13/6/20 Skyros Run – Skyros, Sporades
23/6/20 SNF Run – SNFCC. Athens, Central Greece
27/6/20 Folegandros Sunset Trail – Cyclades trail Cup – Folegandros, Cyclades
Dates to be announced for:
Psiloritis Race (Crete), North Olympus Trail Vrontou (Mount Olympus, Macedonia), Wood Water Wild (Kavala, Macedonia), Syros Run (Syros, Cyclades), Olympic Day Run (Thessaloniki Olympic Museum, Thessaloniki, Macedonia), Vikos Street Relays (Ioannina, Epirus), Panepistimoupoli Run (Zografou, Athens, Central Greece), Attika Run&Fun Grand Prix (Melissia, Athens, Central Greece), Olympians Night Run (Rethymno, Crete), Oceanman (Mani, Peloponnese).
3-5/7/20 Salewa Olympus Mythical Trail – Mount Olympus, Macedonia
Dates to be announced for:
Maniacs Race (Mani, Peloponnese), Faethon Olympus Marathon “Apostolos Tsourekas” (Mount Olympus, Thessaly), Zagori Mountain Running (Zagori, Epirus), Zero Lake Run (Lake Zirou, Epirus), Energy Duathlon Karpenissi (Karpenissi, Central Greece), Syrathlon (Syros, Cyclades).
1/8/20 Wave Running – Keramoti, Avdera, Thrace
Dates to be announced for:
Zeus FSR (Mount Olympus, Thessaly), Krekonian Run (Lagadia, Peloponnese), Seli Mountain Running & Vertical Race (Vermio Mountains, Macedonia), Lepanto Evening Run (Nafpaktos, Central Greece), Chios Half Marathon (Chios, North Aegean).
© Shutterstock
12-13/9/20 Ios Adventure – Ios, Cyclades
18-19/9/20 Ioannina Lake Run – Ioannina, Epirus
Dates to be announced for:
Corfu Half Marathon (Corfu, Ionian Islands), Arachova Trail (Arachova, Central Greece), Polygyros Run (Halkidiki, Macedonia), Syros City Trail (Syros, Cyclades), ELLINIKON Cross Country, Half Marathon & Fun Run (Arkadia, Peloponnese), Serifos Sunset Race (Serifos, Cyclades), Mykonos Run (Mykonos, Cyclades), Hercules Mountain Marathon (Mount Oeta, Central Greece), Naousa Vermio Trail (Naousa, Macedonia), Filiatra Run (Filiatra, Peloponnese), Fancy Women Bike Ride (Athens, Central Greece), Kallithea Half Marathon (Athens, Central Greece), Kilkis Trail & Kilkis Run (Kilkis, Macedonia), Afentis Mountain Marathon (Crete), Andros Trail Race, Cyclades Trail Cup (Andros, Cyclades), Tyros Triathlon (Tyros, Peloponnese), Spartathlon (Sparta, Peloponnese), Isoman presented by G, Trimore (Rethymno, Crete), Kavala Night City Run (Kavala, Macedonia), Monemvasia Run Challenge (Monemvasia, Peloponnese), Athens Running Weekend – Race for the Cure (Zappeion, Athens, Central Greece), Salewa Lost Trail (Mount Olympus, Macedonia).
9-11/10/20 Spetses Mini Marathon – Spetses, Saronic Islands
11/10/20 Chalkida Bridges Half Marathon – Chalkida, Evia, Central Greece
Dates to be announced for:
Santorini Experience (Santorini , Cyclades), Il Porto Triathlon (Igoumenitsa, Central Greece), Crete Half Marathon (Crete), Navarino Challenge (Costa Navarino, Peloponnese), Salonica Run – No Finish Line (Thessaloniki, Macedonia), Vartzakeios Dromos Ygeias (Piraeus, Athens, Central Greece), Aristotelios Dromos Atochis – Naousa, Macedonia, Trecho gia tin Katerini (Katerini, Macedonia), Run Together (OAKA, Athens, Central Greece), Olympians Run International (Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese), Half Marathon Michalis Kouziz (Agrinio, Central Greece), Energy Triathlon Tolo (Nafplio, Peloponnese).
