Peak Participation at this Year’s ‘The North Face Zagori Mountain Running’ Races

Athletes crossing the traditional Kokkori bridge.

Everyone from Olympic gold medalists and professional runners to amateurs and sports buffs from across the globe took to the hills of northern Greece, to participate in one of the country’s largest mountain running events, The North Face Zagori Mountain Running 2015, on July 24-26.

More than 1,600 athletes participated in the 80km, 42km, 21km and 10km races, running through the traditional cobblestone pathways of Mt Tymfi amid the Zagori villages.

Starting line of the 21km race in Zagori’s Kypous.

Nikos Kalofyris came in first in the demanding 80km run, which started in the village of Tsepelovo on July 25, clocking an impressive 09:46.28. Stavros Stefanis came in second with a time of 10:02.10 and Giannis Kourkourikis third with 10:12.23.

(L-R) The North Face Brand Manager Manolis Mavroidis with winner of the 80km race Nikos Kalofyris.

In the women’s category, Ioanna Baratsa clinched the first spot with a time of 12:43.59, Sophia Kalogirou with 13:09.40, and Vassiliki Falara and Despina Gavriilidou tied at 14:49.24.

(L-R) Winners of the 80km race women’s group: Sophia Kalogirou, Ioanna Baratsa, Despina Gavriilidou and Vassiliki Falara with Nikos Chitos of Chitos SA.

The 42km race at Kypous saw Dimitris Ziambiris come in first, Grigoris Koulouriotis second and Aris Tsipis third.

In the women’s grouping, Dimitra Bika came in first, Virginia Papapostolou second and Anastasia Eleftheridou third.

Kiddies took part in their very own race titled the “Zagoraki”, they did their warm-up and stretching exercises and set off to become the future champions under the guidance of specially trained coaches.

The “Zagoraki” race for kids!

The first day of the event, which included awards and the distribution of finishers’ apparel, closed with a concert by Yiorgos Gakis.

In Sunday’s 21km race, winners were Jancek Bockoc first, Kosmas Plaketas second and Vangelis Noulas third. In the women’s category, Christina Bogiatzi clinched first place, Olympic gold medalist Athanasia Tsoumeleka came in second and Dioni Gorla third.

(L-R) Dioni Gorla, Christina Bogiatzi, Vassilis Tzoumakas (organizer and technical manager of the race), and Athanasia Tsoumeleka (Olympic gold medalist, race walking).

Among the 465 runners in the 10km race, Spyros Ginis passed the finish line first, Ilias Natsias second and Giorgos Tsakiridis third. In the women’s group, Chara Kostoula came in first, Eleni Mavridopoulou second and Christina Maragianni third.

The North Face Zagori Mountain Running event in March clinched the Silver Tourism Award in the Sports Tourism category for innovation, contributing to the tourism sector and the economy, fostering synergies and collaborations and for the sustainability principles it demonstrated in 2014.

GTP was a strategic communication partner of The North Face Zagori Mountain Running event.

Drakolimni

Photo credit: Konstantinos Vassilakis