Rhodes’ 1st Virtual Marathon Kicks Off with Αthletes from 33 Countries

The first Rhodes Virtual Marathon event kicked off on Friday, April 9, with the participation of over 850 runners from 33 countries.

Set to carry on until May 9, the virtual sports event will be hosting athletes from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, the US, Australia and Canada, among other countries.

The virtual race has replaced the annual International Rhodes Marathon that could not take place as a live event due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the strict health protocols in place.

The event’s organizing committee decided to hold the event in a digital form and offer the opportunity to athletes from all over the world to participate by running in any country, wherever they are.

According to an announcement, the warm response of runners during the first two weeks of registration proves the global impact of the race.

“Rhodes Marathon is an international sports event offering runners the unique opportunity to run on a magnificent coastal route, next to landmark monuments of Rhodes’ rich cultural heritage… We maintain contact with our loyal friends around the world, and increase the number of participants, with the digital version of the event – a solution that meets the challenges of these times,” the President of the Organizing Committee and Vice President of EAS SEGAS Dodecanese, Marieta Papavassiliou said.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Rhodes General Hospital to cover needs related to the pandemic.

Registration continues until May 5

Registration for the first Rhodes Virtual Marathon will be completed on May 5, through the Sporthive Live/Rhodes Virtual Marathon application or the Rhodes Marathon website at rhodesmarathon.gr.

The event includes a marathon and a half marathon race, as well as the 10km, 5km and 2km road races.

Participants can register once and run as many times as they want to improve their performance.

The first Rhodes Virtual Marathon is dedicated to the Colossus of Rhodes, the statue of the Greek god Helios, that was erected on Rhodes in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus stood approximately 33 metres high but collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC.

The 2022 International Rhodes Marathon is scheduled to take place on Rhodes on April 10.