The preparations for the Authentic Marathon Swim continue with an undiminished pace, as the historic event will take place for the 2nd consecutive year, on July 2-4, 2021, at Pefki, in Evia, Greece in the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.
Amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad will visit North Evia again this year to discover the cultural and natural wealth of the region and to become part of history, in the birthplace of marathon swimming. Participants will swim with safety in the impressive 10km route (over the shipwrecks of the Naval Battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C.), the 3km, the 1.5km as well as the new and unique 5km route. Respectively, the younger fans of the sea will have the opportunity to test their swimming skills in the 800m children’s race. The 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 800m. routes will have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point.
The event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol to be established by the organizers, based on the instructions of the special scientists-collaborators and the recommendations of the Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Scientific Committee, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees.
The Authentic Marathon Swim will be held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization. The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos & the entire local government with the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.S.T.E.), the Central Union of Municipalities in Greece (KEDE) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece. ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its sports production. The race has joined the swimming community of Global Swim Series (GSS).
Enjoy the Authentic Marathon Swim’s teaser video here and get ready for another exciting experience: https://youtu.be/0RoCgcEFW7w
Enjoy some of the highlights from the Authentic Marathon Swim 2020 in the following video: https://youtu.be/4IQ1tCtIdQA
Share your exciting moments and memories from the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos and the event using the official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim
Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, were the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to the publicized works of global history. According to Herodotus, the story of Skyllias and Hydna explains that in 480 B.C. they were arrested by Persians and boarded onto their ships, as the Persians wanted to use the pair of proficient divers for an extensive exploration of underwater treasures from shipwrecks of that time and age. Subsequently, the historical swimmers realized that Persians planned on using them in an upcoming naval combat in Artemision, meaning that Skyllias and Hydna would have to face their Greek compatriots. The Ancient-Greek heroes jumped into the sea, sliced the ropes from the anchors of Persian ships and started swimming towards Artemision in order to inform the Greek Naval Forces. The historical achievements of Skyllias and Hydna have been recorded from Herodotus, “The Father of History”, who has praised them for their unique swimming ability and the importance of the information they offered to the Greeks, allowing the Naval Forces to prepare for their upcoming Battle of Salamis and their eventual triumph. In this manner, 2.500 ago, the first ever marathon swim was recorded in history.
Socialize and stay up to date by following event’s official pages on facebook, instagram, twitter and youtube.
GTP Headlines is a media sponsor of The Authentic Marathon Swim 2021.
