Marathons in Olympus

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Award ceremony of the runners

Every year various initiators organize marathons in Olympus in Greece . The classic distance of 42.195 kilometers provides an indication of the length of some of the runs in Olympus . From 2010 onwards, events were established that in some cases far exceed the classic marathon distance, with runners covering distances of 57 km, 70 km or almost 100 km in these races.

At the stations along the route, the runners are provided with drinks and snacks. Among other things, water, electrolytic drinks, bananas, salty cookies, sandwiches and chocolate are offered. The rescue services commissioned by the respective organizers provide medical care. The fastest runners reach the finish in around four hours.

history

Around 1970, inspired by mountain runs in the Alps , the first thoughts of running a marathon in Olympus came up. Younger members of the mountaineering club EOS Thessaloniki implemented the idea; a running route has been selected, the paths have been cleaned and marked. The first run took place on July 6, 1986. Around 100 Greek runners took part; Although starting numbers were assigned, there are no statistics on the results of this first Olympian marathon. The new sport was called the "mountaineering marathon", not only on Olympus, but throughout Greece, where mountain races gradually established themselves. The number of participants fluctuated greatly, it was only through the "outdoor movement" that more Greek athletes found their way into this sport.

The "Olympus Marathon" was founded in 2003 to arouse international interest. The first run took place in June 2004 with the help of the Litochoro Municipality and the Litochoro Mountaineering Association. Based on the tradition of the ancient Greeks, who annually took a procession from Dion to the peaks of Olympus to pay homage to the gods , the run starts in Dion - the religious center of the Macedonians (motto: running with the gods). 115 athletes took part in the first run, of which 103 were scored. Seven of them were foreigners.

In 2012 the first "Olympus Mythical Trail" was organized. It is an extreme run of around 100 kilometers that is also run at night. The "Lost Trail", a run shortened to 57 kilometers, has been offered since 2015 to allow athletes to explore Mount Olympus on lesser-known paths during the day.

There are other runs in Olympus over shorter distances, in the snow, as well as mixed competitions, such as a biathlon, in which the athletes run and bike.

Organizer EOS Thessaloniki

The first organizer of marathons in the Greek mountains was the EOS Thessaloniki (Greek Ελληνικός Ορειβατικός Σύλλογος Θεσσαλονίκης (ΕΟΣΘ), Greek Mountaineering Club Thessaloniki). Since 1986 the marathon (mountaineering marathon of Olympus, Ορειβατικός Μαραθώνιος Ολύμπου) has been held annually on the first Sunday in September with only one interruption. The community of Dion Olympou has taken over the patronage for the event. In 2018, around 300 runners took part in the competition, of which 249 finished and were rated in accordance with the regulations.

route

Mountaineering Olympus Marathon, running track
  • Start at the Stavros hut, altitude 920 m
  • 4 kilometers on asphalt to the Gortsia junction, elevation 1125 m
  • 6 kilometers to the Petrostrounga refuge, altitude 1940 m
  • 3.2 kilometers to Skourta, altitude 2420 m, also named after the mountaineer Voula Nikitidou who died in Olympus.
  • 3.1 kilometers to the Christos Kakkalos hut , altitude 2648 m (named after the first to climb Mount Mytikas, the highest peak on Mount Olympus)
  • 5.1 kilometers below the summit to the Spilios Agapitos hut, altitude 2085 m.
  • 6.55 kilometers to Prionia, elevation 1100 meters
  • 3 kilometers to the chapel of Agios Dionysios , altitude 800 m
  • 2.35 kilometers to Koromilies, altitude 650 m
  • 3 kilometers to Sara, altitude 495 m
  • 1.35 kilometers to Portes, altitude 630 m
  • 4.15 kilometers to the finish at the nautical museum in Litochoro , altitude 295 m

The total length of the route is 41.85 kilometers.

Organizer Olympus Marathon

The Olympus Marathon, Olympus Ultra Run and Olympus Vertical Run take place on the last weekend in June. These events are supported by the Greek Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, the Prefecture of Pieria and the Municipality of Dion Olympou. In 2018 around 800 runners from 25 countries took part in the competition. The three runs, Olympus Marathon, Olympus Ultra and Olympus Vertical are part of the Skyrunner World Series .

route

  • Start in Dion, height 3 m
  • 4 kilometers Agios Konstantinos, altitude 180 m
  • 4.5 kilometers to Orlias, altitude 740 m
  • 2 kilometers to Koromilia, altitude 1000 m
  • 2 kilometers to Bara, altitude 1350 m
  • 2.8 kilometers to the Petrostrounga refuge, altitude 1940 m
  • 2.4 kilometers to Skourta, altitude 2420 m
  • 3.1 kilometers to the Plateau of the Muses (Oropedio Mouson), altitude approx. 2600 m
  • 4.2 kilometers to the Spilios Agapitos hut, altitude 2085 m
  • 6.2 kilometers to Prionia, altitude 1100 m
  • 2.9 kilometers to the chapel of Agios Dionysios, altitude 800 m
  • 3 kilometers to Kastana
  • 3 kilometers to Portes, altitude 630 m
  • 3.7 kilometers to Litochoro, altitude 295 m

The total length of the route is 43.8 kilometers.

Olympus Ultra

The race goes over a distance of around 70 kilometers. The start is in Dion, the running route also leads over the western, Thessalian, part of Mount Olympus. A total of 5200 meters of altitude will be overcome. The organizer prescribes certain equipment for the runners for this extreme run:

  • Container for one liter of liquid
  • Mobile phone (emergency numbers: 6982382156, 6932271106 and the European emergency number 112)
  • Windbreaker
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Rescue blanket

Olympus Vertical

This run will start in Prionia (1100 m). The goal is to conquer more than 1000 meters of altitude on a running route of 4.3 kilometers. There are no categories or restrictions on this race, anyone over the age of 18 is allowed.

Organizer Olympus Mythical Trail (OMT)

Olympos Mythical Trail poster

The race takes place annually on the first weekend in July and covers a distance of around 100 kilometers, with 6410 meters of altitude to be overcome. It started until 2017 in the park at the church Agios Joannis, above Litochoro. As of 2018, the start and finish were relocated to Lakko, on the Enipeas River in Litochoro. The offer is aimed at experienced runners; a medical certificate of the state of health is not required, but evidence of the participant's experience on difficult routes. Greek runners must have completed a number of runs within the last three years; foreigners must have run at least one 80 kilometer run during this period. Around 90% of the route are forest paths and mountain paths. This extreme run takes place partly on the Thessalian side of Mount Olympus and is limited to 28 hours. The runners cross the third highest peak of Mount Olympus, the Skolio (2910 m).

route

Olympus Mythical Trail running route
  • Start in Lakko, altitude 280 m
  • 5 kilometers, Tsouknida, altitude 1315 m
  • 5.1 kilometers, Livadaki, altitude 2100 m
  • 7.6 kilometers, Prionia, altitude 1100 m
  • 14 kilometers, Litochoro, 280 m
  • 4.7 kilometers, Stavros, 930 m
  • 8.7 kilometers, Koromilia, 1020 m
  • 5 kilometers, Petrostronga, 1940 m
  • 5.6 kilometers, Oropedio, 2650 m
  • 8.6 kilometers, Bara, 2375 m
  • 16 kilometers, Bichtesi, 1280 m
  • 7.7 kilometers, Pigadi, 1410 m
  • 11.6 kilometers, Lakko, altitude 280 m

The total length of the route is 99.6 kilometers, and the runners are provided with drinks and snacks at each of the stations mentioned above. A total of 17 checkpoints have to be passed. Certain equipment is also mandatory for this run.

Lost Trail

Lost Trail running route

In September there is a shorter extreme run that has to be run within 15 hours.

route

  • Start in Litochoro, altitude 280 m
  • 9 kilometers, Monastiri, altitude 810 m
  • 7.6 kilometers, deli, altitude 850 m
  • 7.9 kilometers, Livadaki, altitude 2100 m
  • 7.7 kilometers, Prionia, altitude 1100 m
  • 2.3 kilometers, Goumarostali, altitude 1685 m
  • 4 kilometers, Petrostrounga, altitude 1940 m
  • 5 kilometers, Koromilia, altitude 1020 m
  • 8.8 kilometers, Stavros, 930 m
  • 4.7 kilometers, Litochoro, altitude 280 m

The total length of the route is 57 kilometers, and the runners are provided with drinks and snacks at each of the above-mentioned stations.

Organizer Faethon Olympus Marathon

The run is organized by Faethon Olympus Marathon and supported by the mountaineering associations of Elassona, Olympiada (Mytikas), Sparmos (Olympus) and Kalyvion (Christakis).

Three different runs are offered:

  • Faethon Marathon over a distance of around 43 kilometers and an altitude difference of 3600 m
  • Rupicapra half-marathon over 20 kilometers and 1500 m difference in altitude
  • Faethon Trail over 14 kilometers and 400 m difference in altitude

In contrast to the events mentioned above, these runs mainly take place in the Thessalian part of Mount Olympus. The runs are started in Kokkinopilos, the runners are obliged to bring certain equipment with them. Runners over the age of 20 are eligible to start, the runs are divided into different categories. The organizer does not require a certificate of the athletes' health.

Course (Faethon Olympus Marathon)

  • Start in Kokkinopilos, altitude 1250 m
  • 2.3 kilometers, kiosk, altitude 1360 m
  • 4.2 kilometers, Smeos, altitude 2060 m
  • 3.7 kilometers, Chotsas, altitude 2520 m
  • 3.4 kilometers, Katafigio Anangis, altitude 2350 m
  • 6.2 kilometers, Metamofossi, altitude 2500 m
  • 5.7 kilometers, Stavraities, altitude 2450 m
  • 2.3 kilometers, Skolio, altitude 2911 m
  • 1.2 kilometers, Christakis, altitude 2450 m
  • 4.4 kilometers, Kardaras, altitude 2350 m
  • 6.5 kilometers, Rhoudi, altitude 1800 m
  • 1.5 kilometers, destination Kokkinopilos, altitude 1250 m

Organizer Almira-X

The range of extreme sports activities in the Olymp from Almira-X is supplemented by a triathlon. It includes the three classic triathlon sports; four kilometers of swimming, 182 kilometers of cycling and around 40 kilometers of running. The group of male and female athletes are divided into five age groups. In order to be admitted to the race, the organizer requires a medical certificate of health. Each participant needs a companion with their own support vehicle. Athletes are expected to complete the triathlon with a minimum of assistance. There are only two stations at which the runners are supplied for the 40 kilometer run.

swim

The competition starts from a boat and the swim ends on the beach of Platamonas. The route depends on the wind direction, the athletes are accompanied by boats.

Cycle

From Platamonas, Olympus is almost completely bypassed. The bike race takes place on paved roads, 4100 meters of altitude have to be overcome. The destination is the Vrisopoules square.

To run

From Vrisopoules the route leads over the second highest peak of the mountains (Skolio, 2911 m) on forest trails down to the river Orlias, which is the destination of the triathlon. There are 2250 meters of altitude to overcome.

Web links

Remarks

  1. ↑ Results of the men of the 31st Mountaineering Marathon on Olympus (ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ ΑΝΔΡΩΝ 31ου ΟΜΟ). Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
  2. ^ Homepage of the EOS Thessaloniki. Retrieved September 22, 2018 .
  3. ↑ EOS Thessaloniki History. Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
  4. ↑ Results of the 32nd Mountaineering Marathon on Olympus. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  5. ↑ Petrostrounga Refuge. Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
  6. ↑ Spilios Agapitos mountain hut. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  7. ↑ route map. Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
  8. ↑ Olympus Marathon 2018 after race. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  9. ↑ THE RACE> ROUTE>. Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
  10. ↑ route map. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  11. ↑ Stations and exclusion points. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  12. ↑ GPS data of the route. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  13. ↑ Route description of the Olympus Ultra. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  14. ↑ Brief description of the OMT. Retrieved September 9, 2018 .
  15. ↑ OLYMPUS MYTHICAL TRAIL> AID STATIONS. Retrieved September 9, 2018 .
  16. ↑ Route map of the Olympus Mythical Trail 2018. Accessed on September 9, 2018 .
  17. ↑ OLYMPUS MYTHICAL TRAIL, ATHLETES MANUAL. Retrieved September 9, 2018 .
  18. ↑ Lost Trail (EN)> Course Data. Retrieved September 9, 2018 .
  19. ↑ Faethon Olympus Marathon About us. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  20. ↑ Faethon Olympus Marathon Map. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  21. ^ Rules of Rupicapra. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  22. ↑ Small Faethon Description. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  23. ↑ Small Faethon Card. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  24. ↑ PARTICIPATION RIGHT. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
  25. ↑ Almira-X Race manual. Retrieved October 29, 2018 .