Santorini Experience 2018: Challenging Running Races and Cultural Events

Photo Source: Santorini Experience / Loukas-Hapsis

Challenging running races for professional and amateur athletes, as well as cultural events for all are included in the program of Santorini Experience 2018, the leading sports tourism event, which will be held between October 5 and 7, on the Cycladic island of Santorini.

More specifically, on October 6, the running race will include three different especially designed routes, which will have the volcano and the caldera as a background and will pass through the stunning settlements at Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia.

Photo Source: Santorini Experience / Elias Lefas

The 5 km “Aristides Alafouzos” route, is ideal for running and dynamic walking; the 10 km route is designed for experienced runners and the 15 km route is ideal for those who love power, stamina, technique and adrenaline. All routes start from the desalination plant of Oia and also end in Oia.

The running routes have been designed by former marathon runner and Greek classic route record holder Nikos Polias, who is also a running coach and director of All About Running.

“It is a great pleasure for us, to be on the beautiful island of Santorini, for the fourth consecutive year, to live another breathtaking experience with three splendid routes on the Caldera, having as a background the island’s world-famous volcano,” Polias said.

“These are three quite demanding routes at an altitude of 135 – 334 meters. Our goal this year is to see as many runners as possible from around the world, since last year we had an impressive number of participants from more than 40 countries,” he added. For more information on the routes press here.

It should be mentioned that Santorini Experience has joined the World’s Marathons world running community, which counts more than 4,146 races all over the world.

Furthermore, Santorini Experience’s open swimming race has been approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation, in accordance with FINA’s safety rules.

Registrations are currently open and will close on August 3. To register press here.

During the Santorini Experience, and particularly in the afternoon of Saturday, October 6, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) will hold a concert with Greek music group C:Real, in the surrounding area of the DAPPOS Hall with free admission.

Photo Source: Santorini Experience / Elias Lefas

Santorini Experience is organized by the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization – DAPPOS  and Active Media Group, under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

The event recently won a gold honor at the Sports Marketing Awards 2018, in the “Integrated Marketing Campaign” category in the “Sports Organizations” section.

Getting to Santorini

VitaNTravel, as the official travel agent of the event, will take care and assist all athletes and escorts with information about the ferry routes, ferry tickets, car rentals and accommodation on the island, while a special accommodation package has been prepared for the period of October 5-7, 2018. You may book this special package for a two-night stay that includes your hotel accommodation, ferry tickets with Blue Star Ferries, in economy class for the itineraries: Piraeus – Santorini (5/10), departure: 07.25 am, arrival: 14.55 pm; and from Santorini – Piraeus (7/10), departure: 15.30 pm, arrival: 23.25 pm as well as extra transfers from the hotel to the event venues.

The privileged package starts from €130/person. For more information press here or call +30 2103249070.

Click here to find all available offers related to the event.

Sponsors

Samsung is the official technology partner of the event for a second consecutive year. Ryanair is the official airline partner. The official sponsors once again are Ford Motor Hellas, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport and Athina Luxury Suites.

Official Supporters include Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Avance Rent A Car, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa and Boatmen Union Santorini.

DNA Travel is the official transport partner while the National Geographic is the strategic partner of the event.

Santorini Experience is also assisted by the Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club and Santorini Nautical Club.

Hospitality Sponsors include Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Central Fira Hotel, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia and  Sienna Resort.

For more information press here.