Other Greece
Running Events
Running events in modern Greece derive from a dynamic lineage of ancient Greek runners.
In the Hellenic era, running was central to competitive sports events, the most famous being the Olympics Games begun in 776 BC. Athletes ran to honor the gods and sought self-honor. A winner received no drachmas (Greek money); rather, he proudly wore an olive wreath and was allowed to erect a statue of himself. Male athletes usually ran naked, except for a special race that was run dressed in full combat armor. A female runner was permitted to run in a foot race barefooted but only if she was a virgin.
Running also served a key logistical purpose in a land afflicted with near permanent warfare. Soldiers were required to be in fit condition in order to run and attack on the battlefield. In the midst of battles, long distance runners were often dispatched with a message for reinforcements. In the days before newspapers, it was runners who notified the citizenry of victory or defeat. The mighty and legendary Phidippides performed both such roles in 490 BC.
On this page you will find an array of contemporary running events in Greece, all of which are infused with the influential spirit of the ancient runners. Contact us for more information about each event, including registration, dates, cost and terms of participation.
Spartathlon Ultra-Marathon One of the most prestigious ultra-marathons in the world is the Spartathlon, 246 km (153 miles) from the Athens Acropolis to the history-laden town of Sparta. According to the historian Herodotus, the Greek runner Phidippides ran this distance in two days in 490 BC in an unsuccessful attempt to rally reinforcements for the fight against the Persians at Marathon. Read the History here. A British runner name John Foden sought to emulate Phidippides by studying his route from descriptions by Herodotus. Foden and his team retraced the course in 1982 and the Spartathlon has been run annually ever since. The next Spartathlon is September 30 to October 1, 2011. The event is limited to 300 athletes. Strict requirements for entry, including completion of 100 km in 10½ hours. Closing date for Spartathlon applications is May 31, 2011.
Schiniathlon Pronounced skinny-athlon, Schiniathlon is the name for triathlon-oriented events held in Schinias Bay in the town of Marathon at the Moraitis Sports Center. Since 2007, the organizers (a spunky French woman and her Greek partner) have held open events for “discovery racers” (beginners, including children under 16) and “Long Events” for experienced athletes. The series includes four events per year: Winter Duathlon (run-bike-run), Spring Triathlon (swim-bike-run), Summer Aquathlon (swim-run) and Autumn Triathlon (swim-bike-run).
X-Poros This triathlon is held on the lovely Argo-Saronic island of Poros, about a two hour ferry ride from Athens. The biking portion of the race is off road mountain biking. The organizers have three triathlons. The Olympic Triathlon is swim 1.5 km, bike 40 km and run 10 km. The Sprint Triathlon is swim 750 meters, bike 20 km and run 5 km. The Kids Triathlon is swim 50 meters, bike 2 km and run 1km. X-Poros is held annually in October. The organizers offer a newsletter, although it is only written in Greek.
The Nemean Games Historically, these ancient athletic events were originally held as funeral games for a king’s infant son who died of a snakebite at the Nemea River. Seventeen centuries later, in 1996, the games were revived by a Berkeley professor of archaeology, Stephen G. Miller. Participants range from 5 years old to 80 plus, men and women. Athletes in the ancient games competed nude, but today’s modest Nemean runners cover themselves with a chiton (white robe) and only their feet are bare. Yes, the various Nemea Games are run barefoot, except the final one in which the winner is crowned with a wreath of wild celery. The Nemean Games are held every four years. The next one is in the spring of 2012.
Mt. Olympus Marathon The 8th annual Mt. Olympus Marathon takes place June 26, 2011. The "Mountain of the Gods" is an appropriate venue for a marathon that challenges any athlete. The running course traces the route that ancient Greeks followed to ascend up the mountain in their homage to Zeus, the supreme god. Race is international with almost 500 participants from 22 countries. Average finish time: 7 hours, 53 minutes.
AlpaMayo Trail Half-Marathon Since 2007, this trail race has been held atop Mt. Parnitha, one of the three mountains overlooking Athens, whose peak is 4600 feet high. The course has typical obstacles of a trail run – stones and boulders to dodge, perhaps a fallen tree blocking your path, thick morning mist obscuring your vision until the sun inevitably appears. The kicker is the finale with a very steep one kilometer climb up to the finish line. There are two overnight refuges in Mt. Parnitha park and both provide food, drink, accommodations and enthusiasm during the run.
Crete's Psiloritis Trail Race Sunday, May 29, 2011, run in Zeus' steps on one of Crete's most beloved mountains and its highest at 2,456 meters. According to Greek myth, Mt. Psiloritis, also known as Mt. Ida, is where Zeus grew up. The region is rich in forests, waters and gorges, making for a spectacular event.