The exquisite event “Santorini Experience” is ready to welcome the lovers of swimming and running on October 7-9, 2016!
On Saturday, October 8th, 2016, runners of all abilities will have the opportunity to run at the exceptional routes of 5km (running and dynamic walking), 10 km and 15 km (total positive altitude: 834 m.) overlooking the unique images of the volcano, the Caldera and the sites Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. The routes have been designed and edited this year by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. The starting time of the 10 km and 15 km routes is common at 08:15 am (with a limit of 150 participants per route), while the starting time of the 5km route will take place at 11:00 (with a limit of 200 participants). All routes start from the desalination plant in Oia with an initial direction towards Fira and athletes return back at 2.5 km, 5 km and 7.5 km points respectively, to finish their running at the same point where they started.
Runners will discover the magical trail that connects Oia with Fira overlooking the Caldera of Santorini (Thira), which took its name from Thira, the first Spartan colonist of the island. A detailed description of the routes including maps and technical details (altitude) is available here.
It must also be noted that with the suggestion of the technical director of running, three vertical running routes will be prepared this year to enrich the weekend schedule of the event.
Ancient Santorini (Thira) was an earthly paradise, destroyed in 1,500 BC, along with a multitude of nearby coasts, dragging brilliant samples of the Aegean civilization. Its description fits perfectly with what Plato was saying for the mythical land of the Atlases that was completely destroyed, leaving no trace behind. The Atlantis.
So over the sunken Atlantis participants in the sport of swimming will have the opportunity to swim in the unique swimming route of 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of “Santorini Experience”, on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 10:00 am, from the volcano to the old port in Fira.
The route has been designed by the Federal Technical Coach of Swimming, with Olympic and World distinctions in open water swimming and Technical Director of the event in swimming, Nikos Gemelos. The event will also be held under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), something that happens for the first time in open water swimming, at a sports tourism event, marking the explosive participation expected from swimmers and swimming clubs from all over Greece and abroad.
Those interested can now make their registration in swimming or running through the official page of the event clicking here.
For those wishing to combine sports with tourism and take advantage of their stay in one of the two or three most beautiful islands in the world, if not the most beautiful, privileged packages starting from 300 euro for 2 people for 3 days – 2 nights (including transportation, accommodation, food and participation in the event) will be available. For more information you may click here. The page will be daily enriched with new supporters and in the upcoming days discounts on transportation to Santorini will be announced.
This year’s event will have an unprecedented international promotion, as FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, will carry forward as the Official Broadcaster of “Santorini Experience” its sports documentary, to millions of homes in Europe, Asia and Africa, creating a unique television product.
“Santorini Experience” is collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.