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‘Navarino Challenge 2017’ Getting Ready to Offer Exciting Weekend of Sports

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Navarino Challenge logoWith less than two weeks to go before the “Navarino Challenge 2017” kicks off, the organizers gave an official presentation of Greece’s top sports tourism event and announced its highlights.

“Navarino Challenge 2017”, co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group, is returning for the fifth consecutive year in Messinia and Costa Navarino on October 13-15. Τhe three-day “Navarino Challenge” event aims to raise awareness of the fight against childhood obesity through the Messinian diet and physical exercise.

Perikilis Iakovakis, Mandy Persaki, Dean Karnazes. Photo credit: Mike Tsolis

Perikilis Iakovakis, Mandy Persaki, Dean Karnazes. Photo credit: Mike Tsolis

The official presentation of “Navarino Challenge” took place on September 27 — World Tourism Day — at the Wyndham Grand Athens hotel and was attended by distinguished guests, including the Greek American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes, who participates at the event as its ambassador in Greece and abroad for the 5th consecutive time, the Olympic and World Champion in 400m. hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis and the physical education instructor specialized in pilates, Mandy Persaki.

“As the United Nations General Assembly affirmed when announcing 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, tourism can contribute to all the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. All these goals have brought Navarino Challenge at the top of sports tourism events,” Akis Tsolis, Chief Executive Officer of Active Media Group, said.

“Once you participate in Navarino Challenge you will understand the essence of the famous Greek hospitality.” – Akis Tsolis, Active Media Group CEO

“With principles based on the Olympic ideal and “fair play”, from the first year in 2013 the event generated innovation and had a key role among sports tourism events. Once you participate in Navarino Challenge you will understand the essence of the famous Greek hospitality. The athletes that participate all comment how friendly and inviting the Messinians are. We owe huge gratitude to the people of the region and Costa Navarino for all they have done to make Navarino Challenge a success. We want the next generation of Greeks to feel and act differently about exercise, the environment and personal responsibility. We want to be part of creating a better Greece,” Tsolis said.

during the Navarino Challenge 2015 at Costa Navarino on September 13, 2015 in Romanos, Greece. (Photograph by Vladimir Rys)

Photo credit: Vladimir Rys

“We look forward to seeing you all in Costa Navarino to share once again, unique moments and experiences.” – Marina Papatsoni, TEMES Marketing & Business Development Director

Marina Papatsoni, Marketing & Business Development Director, TEMES. photo credit: Mike Tsolis

Marina Papatsoni, Marketing & Business Development Director, TEMES. photo credit: Mike Tsolis

On behalf of Costa Navarino, Marina Papatsoni, Marketing & Business Development Director at TEMES, said: “When we conceived the idea of Navarino Challenge in 2011, we didn’t think that we have achieved as much as we have today. It is one of those cases where we succeeded in doing much more than we would have dreamed of! Navarino Challenge is a great celebration, where athletes and organizers come together, have a good time, learn to love nature, sports, good nutrition, and eventually learn how to live better. We look forward to seeing you all in Costa Navarino to share once again, unique moments and experiences”.

Dean Karnazes: ‘Navarino Challenge’ is a progressive concept

During the event’s presentation, the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes, underlined the event’s importance and underlined how much Greece was ahead of its time when it first kicked off the “Navarino Challenge”.

The 2014 Navarino Challenge marathon was led by Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes.

Photo credit: Babis Giritziotis

“Five years ago Peter Poulos and Akis Tsolis came to me with an idea. So they asked me ‘what do you think’ and I told them it is a good idea but it is a very progressive idea. You are ahead of your time. Last month Sir Richard Branson came to me and he said I have an idea for an event. He said ‘I want it to be for athletes of all ages & abilities. I want to offer more than just running’. So he said ‘What do you think?’ and I said ‘You are 5 years too late!’. What is happening here, I think is fantastic, and I say that having run in many such events in various places around the world, I am proud to be an ambassador to this particular event.”

Still time to register!

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

The new schedule of the multi-awarded “Navarino Challenge” event includes 17 activities, and registrations for “Navarino Challenge” in running, swimming and SUP continue for a few more days. For your registration please complete the form here. The detailed program with all activities is available in the following link.

“Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including Navarino Challenge, reflecting the values of sports as a key element in bringing people together.” – Theresa Cissell, Qatar Airways Country Manager for Greece & Cyprus

Special discount on airfare

The official airline partner of the event, Qatar Airways, continues to attract visitors from more than 150 destinations worldwide, offering a discount up to 25% off their return tickets for the “Navarino Challenge”. For more information, press here.

Theresa Cissell, Country Manager for Greece & Cyprus, Qatar Airways. Photo credit: Mike Tsolis)

Theresa Cissell, Country Manager for Greece & Cyprus, Qatar Airways. Photo credit: Mike Tsolis)

“Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including Navarino Challenge, reflecting the values of sports as a key element in bringing people together,” said Theresa Cissell, Qatar Airways Country Manager for Greece & Cyprus.

“Navarino Challenge is a unique event that aims to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy living and exercise as well as the issue of childhood obesity, and through its numerous activities promotes the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. Qatar Airways sponsorship strategy is aligned with the Qatar Vision 2030 and is based on three core pillars of Sports, Culture and Education, and for 3 consecutive years we are proud to fulfil our vision through Navarino Challenge and its ambassadors,” Cissell added.

‘Navarino Challenge 2017’ Supporters

Taekwondo, Alexandros Nikolaidis. Photo credit: Vladimir Rys

Kinder + SPORT, Ferrero’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program, will be supporting this year’s “Navarino Challenge” as part of the effort to boost physical activity in young children. In particular, as an official promoter of the Navarino Challenge, it embraces the Kids’ Athletics by Kinder + SPORT activity, bringing the children into contact with the track and field events, with Ambassador the Olympic and World Champion at 400 meters hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis. In addition, the range of activities for children includes Tae Kwon Dow hereby through the “voice” of the Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, Kinder + SPORT will encourage children to have fun through sports and to engage in an active lifestyle, finding and practicing the sport they love.

Sportingbet, one of the leading online gaming companies in the world, is participating this year as an official sponsor, while Samsung as an official technology partner. The official sponsors of “Navarino Challenge” include “Vikos” natural mineral water and Ford Motor Hellas. Official supporters are BIC, BIC Sport, GoPro, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad and the sports nutrition company QNT. National Geographic is the strategic TV partner of “Navarino Challenge”.

"Navarino Challenge" runner.

Photo credit: Babis Giritziotis

The pasta brand Melissa will be the official nutrition supporter for the first time and will appear at the event with its new food truck, “Melissa On the road” and favorite food blogger Mamatsita. All participants will be treated at the Melissa Pasta Party, where she will create special autumn recipes with Melissa whole wheat penne, farfalle and fusilli. Because in sports we are also fans of pasta!

Official supporters include BIC, BIC Sport, GoPro, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad and the sports nutrition company QNT.

“Navarino Challenge” will be held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia. The sport of boccia will be held under the auspices of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a media sponsor of the 5th “Navarino Challenge”.

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