Andros Trail Race, that will take place on September 30-October 1 on Andros island, is the biggest sport event of the year for the island and the Cyclades in general, attracting participation of renowned athletes and mountain running fans from around the world. Andros Trail Race is part of the 2nd mountain racing championship of the Cyclades aka Cyclades Trail Cup, which is consisted of 6 races this year on islands of Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Syros, Andros and Donoussa-one on each island- and aspires to include races of all the Cycladic Islands creating a large Cycladic sports event.
Participants will have the opportunity to choose between two routes, the 24km Great route making the race the most challenging and demanding in the Greek islands and the 11km Small route as an introduction to mountain running.
Organizers aim to highlight the natural landscape of Andros, with emphasis in the mountainous mainland and the hiking paths, establishing the island as a center of alternative tourism and sports, and the meeting point of Greek and foreign athletes in a great sports celebration!
In the same context, the selection of routes was based on the natural beauty of the island and the hiking trails, the importance of the interest points and the technical challenges, which are similar to major mountain running race events. The athletes will be rewarded for their efforts, running through nature’s and man’s amazing “creations” such as old tracks, cobbled old streets, Venetian pathways and certified hiking trails, high mountains, ravines and streams, small oak forests, fountains, water mills, stone bridges, traditional villages, Monasteries and medieval Castles.
Korthi Bay central square will be the base and starting point of both routes for Andros Trail Race.
The 24km Route starting from Korthi Bay central square is directed to the area of Paleokastro and the traditional settlements of Lardia, Giannisaio (Stavros) and Messa Vouni, crossing through the Monastery of Panachrantos and towards Vrakhnou settlement. Before reaching Vrakhnou, the route turns and climbs the slope of Gerakona Mount. until outside Exo Vouni settlement where it meets the asphalt at the entrance of the Dipotamata gorge, then the stone arch bridge, the old watermills and the medieval path. From this point the athletes go up to the Epano Kastro (Upper Castle) through the old Castle gate crossing it and continuing to the village Kochylos “hanging” on the hillside, finally returning to Korthi Bay.
The 11 km Route of the race, starting from Korthi Bay central square, is initially directed towards the valley of Korthi, then turning to Kato Khones settlement and it’s beautiful fountain, continuing alongside the valley and viewing traditional dovecotes, threshing floors and cottages, crossing Alamania settlement, and uphill to Episkopeio settlement, by the chapel of the Prophet Elias, the ruins of windmills and a unique mill called “Tavlomillos” found only on Andros. The path is directed towards the picturesque stone bridge and a watermill in Episkopeio (famous from the film “Little England”). Then the route continues through Episkopeio to Lardia (Paleokastro) settlement and returns to Korthi Bay.
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