7th Navarino Challenge: Registrations Are Open

Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge promotes sports with inter-generational activities catering to all age groups (photo by Mike Tsolis)

This article is brought to you by Active Media Group

The award-winning “Navarino Challenge” event celebrates sports tourism
for the 7^th consecutive year!

More than 10 Olympic sports and numerous activities for all will be included in the 7th “Navarino Challenge” sports tourism event, scheduled to take place from October 11-13, at Costa Navarino in Messinia, in the Peloponnese.

Last year’s event hosted over 2,500 professional and amateur athletes.

Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge aims to promote sports with
inter-generational activities catering to all age groups. For the 7^th consecutive year, the sporting event will continue to promote the fight against child obesity through information, and awareness on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and exercise.

Runners of Navarino Challenge crossing the beautiful Voidokilia beach (photo by Elias Lefas)

Running tracks

Participants will have the opportunity to choose between the Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km, and 5km (running & power walking). Starting from the Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino, professional and amateur athletes will run along the picturesque coast to Pylos, crossing the beautiful Voidokilia beach, tracing history beneath their feet in King Nestor’s land. They will follow the trail mapped out in the Homeric era by Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, trying to find his missing father. It is the only trail run that combines soil, sand and asphalt. On the same day, the children’s 1km course will take place.

The routes have been planned by the former marathon runner, current classic marathon course national record holder, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. The event includes race timing for all runners.

Open water swimming

Open water swimming enthusiasts will have the chance to compete in a chip-timed event at the beautiful Navarino bay from the scenic Pylos harbour, covering the unique 1 mile (1.6 km) swimming route by Vikos. The route has been designed by the national federal technical coach, Nikos Gemelos (the coach who has given us countless Olympic and world-class honours in open water swimming).

Open water swimming route by Vikos at the Navarino bay, at Pylos harbour (photo by Elias Lefas)

Runners and swimmers can take advantage of the early bird offer by registering with a 30% discount until May 31 (children’s participation is free of charge).

Entries for the award-winning sporting event are underway and interested parties can take part by completing the special form available here.

The Westin Resort Costa Navarino

Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points.

“Navarino Challenge” participants who book their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and choose to take part in the main events (running, swimming) will also have the opportunity to enjoy the full activities program. More information on premium hosting packages will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Navarino Challenge”, has been consistently awarded with Ermis Awards, Tourism Awards, Event Awards and Sports Marketing Awards for its excellence in sports tourism.

Watch the teaser video for the 7^th Navarino Challenge:

Samsung is the official technology partner for another year. Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas and the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”. Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event for one more year.

Official supporters are Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, Poseidonia and Avance Rent A Car. 

Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Participant runners in Navarino Challenge (photo by Babis Giritziotis).

The event is part of the Global Swim Series (GSS) [numbering more than 150 swimming races]. This way, all participants in “Navarino Challenge” as well as in the rest of GSS races will earn a global ranking. The rating is based equally on participation and speed.  The more races they do the higher their ranking will be. Respectively, “Navarino Challenge” has become part of the global community of World’s Marathons [numbering more than 4.410 running races worldwide].

Official Technology Partner: Samsung
Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”
Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Supporters: Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, Poseidonia, Avance Rent A Car
Partners: Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, FitnessArt, Vizantinos target sport club, Red Swim Academy, Fysiotek Sports Lab
Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Explore Messinia, Navarino Golf Academy, Target Security, Athens Easy Transfers, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Karalis Beach Hotel

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