Greece’s ‘Navarino Challenge’ Included in European Week of Sport

“Navarino Challenge” runners. Photo credit: Babis Giritziotis

“Navarino Challenge” registration is open until September 4

Greece’s multiple-award winning event “Navarino Challenge” has been included by the European Commission and the Greek General Secretariat of Sports in the European Week of Sport, a new initiative that will take place for the first time in September 2015.

Scheduled to run September 7-13, the European Week of Sport, aims to inform on the benefits of practicing sports or physical activity and motivate citizens to take up a regular activity. The initiative takes place at EU, national, regional and local level, and is structured to include themes and activities that appeal to all audiences.

The European Week of Sport has included the “Navarino Challenge” among the events taking place across Europe throughout the month of September!

“Navarino Challenge” 2015

The “Navarino Challenge” event, which aims to raise awareness on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and on the global issue of childhood obesity, is gearing up to welcome all during September 11-13 in Messinia and Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese in Greece.

The 2015 event will welcome the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes and ambassador of “Navarino Challenge” for the third year in a row.

Ultramarathon athlete Dean Karnazes runs during the 1st Navarino Challenge Run. Photo credit: Vladimir Rys

The event collaborates every year with top Greek athletes who are moral models and exemplary athletes for the younger generations. Alongside the ambassadors of the event, the name of the World Champion in the open water swimming Kelly Araouzou has been added.

World Champion in the open water swimming, Kelly Araouzou. Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Kelly Araouzou, who won the silver medal a month ago at the World Open Water Championship in Kazan, will swim in the beautiful Bay of Navarino in the picturesque port of Pylos, where this year’s one mile (1.6 km.) and half mile (0.8 km) for young participants, swimming routes will be held. Kelly will experience the “Navarino Challenge”, almost a year before the big challenge of the Olympic Games in Rio.

Every new challenge brings an innovation…

“Navarino Challenge”, in cooperation with the GoPro, Digitribe Mediahouse, Drakos Digital and WeThePeople companies, will create and present for the first time in Greece the first 360o YouTube video that will include activities like running and open water swimming.

Registration

Registrations for “Navarino Challenge”, will continue until Friday, September 4, 2015, through the official website of the event  or alternatively via Viva.gr online and 150 locations throughout Greece (Viva Points / The Mall Athens, Public Shops, Papasotiriou, Ianos, Seven Spots, Reload Stores, Media Markt).

“Navarino Challenge” 2015 routes schedule

Saturday 12-09-2015
Swimming at Pylos Port (1mile route & 0,5mile for children)

08:30-10:30: Receive the numbers at Pylos Port
10:00: Start of 1 mile swimming route with the Olympic & World champion ambassador in swimming, Spyros Gianniotis at Pylos Port
11:00: Start of 0,5 mile swimming route for children at Pylos Port
11:30-12:00: Ceremony & Events at Pylos Port
Demonstration race with Optimist and Laser boats by the Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”
12:30: End of activities

Sunday 13-09-2015
Running: Start from Costa Navarino – runners follow the coastal road towards Pylos with the route including several off road parts, while athletes of all distances will enjoy the spectacular backdrop of Voidokilia beach – Return to Costa Navarino

[Routes: Half-marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km – For children: 1km route for children in the premises of Costa Navarino]

07:30-08:30: Receive numbers from Navarino Outdoors, after the Westin Tennis Courts
08:30: Warm-up with the team of the pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki
08:45: Start of Half-marathon route (21.1km)
09:00: Start of 10km route
09:15: Start of 5km route (for running and dynamic walking)
10:30: Start of 1km route for children
11:00-11:30: Ceremony & Events
12:00: End of activities

The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino

For those who wish to stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, the following benefits will be offered:

Photo credit: Babis Giritziotis

Friday 11-09-2015
09:00-18:00: Pick up numbers & participation kits at the House of Events entrance (across the entrance of the hotel reception)
10:00-11:00 (“History” Hall in House of Events) & 17:00-18:00: (Basketball Court) Taekwondo lessons for people of all ages by the twice Olympic champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
11:00-12:00 & 17:00-18:00 (“Synergy” Meeting Room in House of Events): Kick boxing lessons for people of all ages by the kick boxing champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
12:30-13:00 & 18:30-19:00 (In front of Morias): Pilates lessons by the team of the pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki – at the grassy area in front of Morias restaurant
13:00-13:30 (Indoor Climbing next to Basketball Court): Climbing lessons by the certified climbing instructor George Malamas – Navarino Rocks

Photo credit: Costa Navarino

Saturday 12-09-2015
09:00-18:00: (House of Events) Pick up numbers & participation kits at the House of Events entrance (across the entrance of the hotel reception)
13:00-13:30 (Indoor Climbing next to Basketball Court): Climbing lessons by the certified climbing instructor George Malamas – Navarino Rocks
17:00-18:00 (Basketball Court): Taekwondo lessons for people of all ages by the twice Olympic champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
17:00-18:00 (“Synergy” Meeting Room in House of Events): Kick boxing lessons for people of all ages by the kick boxing champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
18:30-19:00 (In front of Morias): Pilates lessons by the team of the pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki – at the grassy area in front of Morias restaurant
19:45-21:00: “A Night to Remember” By Qatar Airways, Cocktail Night / Awards Ceremony / Karnazes Speech – 1827 Square in The Westin Resort Costa Navarino

Photo by Babis Giritziotis

Sunday 13-09-2015
13:00-13:30 (Indoor Climbing next to Basketball Court): Climbing lessons by the certified climbing instructor George Malamas – Navarino Rocks
15:00-16:00: Celebrity Basketball Game at the indoor basketball hall in the premises
17:00-18:00 (“History” Hall in House of Events): Taekwondo lessons for people of all ages by the twice Olympic champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
17:00-18:00 (“Synergy” Meeting Room in House of Events): Kick boxing lessons for people of all ages by the kick boxing champion Alexandros Nikolaidis
18:00-18:30 (In front of Morias): Pilates lessons by the team of the pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki – at the grassy area in front of Morias restaurant
18:45: Bike Ride at Voidokilia – In cooperation with Navarino Outdoor

The event is held under the Auspices of the Department of Nutrition and-Dietetics of Harokopio University of Athens and the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor, Trifilia, for a 3rd consecutive year.

The official sponsor of the event is Allianz Hellas and official supporters include Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, GoPro and NJV Athens Plaza.

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