Sports For All at This Year’s “Navarino Challenge”

Ultramarathon athlete Dean Karnazes runs during the Navarino Challenge Run in October 2013 in Messinia, Greece. Photo by Vladimir Rys

Registrations are now open!

The multi-award winning sports event “Navarino Challenge” this year has enriched its program with many more activities for the whole family and welcomes all on September 11-13 in Messinia and Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese.

Photo by Babis Giritziotis

Sports fans of all ages will enjoy a weekend full of activities such as Running, Swimming, Family Challenge, Cycling, Tae Kwon Do, Climbing, Pilates and Tae Bo.

Many sports personalities will honor the event with their participation and help participants get better acquainted with this year’s activities.

The 2015 event will welcome the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes and ambassador of “Navarino Challenge” for the third year in a row. He will be joined by Spyros Gianniotis, Olympic medalist and twice World Champion swimmer; Alexandros Nikolaidis, twice silver Olympic medalist in taekwondo; Mandy Persaki, top pilates instructor, and her team; and another Alexandros Nikolaidis, the kick boxing champion.

Photo by Babis Giritziotis

On Saturday, September 12, “Navarino Challenge” participants will swim in the 1 mile swimming route (1.6km) which is specially designed by the federal coach of swimming Nikos Gemelos at Gialova beach. Respectively, younger participants will have the opportunity to swim a half-mile distance route (0.8km).

This year’s running routes to be held on Sunday, September 13, include a Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km and 5km routes (for running and dynamic walking) and 1km route for children. All routes will have the same start and end point (at Navarino Dunes, Costa Navarino) with runners following the coastal road towards Pylos. The route will include several off road parts, while athletes of all distances will be able to enjoy the spectacular backdrop of Voidokilia Beach — named among the best beaches in the world — before heading to the finish point. For more information about this year’s routes, press here.

Voidokilia Beach, Costa Navarino. Photo source: TEMES

For registration, visit the event’s official page here. The Westin Resort Costa Navarino has created some special accommodation packages for those joining the rich program of “Navarino Challenge”. For more information, press here.

In its third year, the event is supported by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

GTP is a Strategic Communication Partner of the “Navarino Challenge” event.