A multi-sport event in Messinia, long-distance running races in Viotia and Phocis, a sailing event in the Saronic Gulf, a golf tournament in Halkidiki and running and swimming races in Paros.
These are the international sports events that take place in May under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, as they promote the areas where they are held to a wide audience, attract visitors with special interests, contribute to the extension of the tourist season and strengthen the image of Greece as an ideal destination for sports tourism.
Specifically:
• From May 9 to 11, the Navarino Challenge is organized at the Costa Navarino facilities in Messinia. This is a multi-awarded sports tourism event that includes most sports activities in Greece, with the main goal of promoting sports and “fair play”. This year, it will feature more than 60 events and 20 Olympic sports, including the “Hellenic Half Marathon” in the Voidokilia area and 10 km and 5 km running races, as well as wellness activities (pilates, yoga, spinning, crossfit, etc.) for all age groups and with the participation of important Greek and foreign athletes from various disciplines. At the same time, this year’s program innovates by introducing the “Navarino Challenge Talks”, a series of talks that will focus on sports, health, and wellness.
• On the weekend of May 10 and 11, the 25th international ultramarathon race “Authentic Euchidian Sport” will be held in the areas of Thebes, Livadia, Distomo, Antikyra, Arachova, and Delphi. Reviving the feat of the ancient hoplite marathon runner, Euchidas, the runners will cover a distance of 107.5 km, starting in Plataea and finishing in Delphi. On May 11, the “Routes of the 9 Muses – Thalia”, 59 km long, from Agia Anna (Helikon) to Delphi, will take place in parallel, while as a closing event, the 33rd Euchidian Torch Relay will take place on the same day with the lighting of the Delphic Light in Delphi. Through this athletic celebration, the organizers aim to promote the history and natural beauty of the venues where the events will be held, and at the same time to promote the region as a destination for sports tourism.
• On the same days (May 10-11), the sailing event “Drydockers Regatta” is taking place for the second year in the Saronic Gulf, with the participation of more than 200 sailors from Greece and abroad and 35 boats. The race will start on the morning of Saturday, May 10, from Alimos and will end in Poros, a route that also constitutes the racing leg of the event. On Sunday, May 11, the participants will head to Aegina, where, with the support of the local Municipality, they will carry out a beach cleaning action in the Perdika area, while they will then return to Alimos.
• From May 20 to 25, 2025, the “Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour” golf tournament will be held at the Porto Carras Grand Resort facilities, on the west coast of the Sithonia peninsula (Chalkidiki). Participating professional and amateur athletes from all over the world will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite sport with a view of the Aegean Sea and the pine forests of Mount Itamos, among the vineyards and olive grove of the estate, as well as the three lakes of the course. The program will begin on May 21 with a practice round for all athletes, while on May 22 and 23, the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Pro-Am tournament will be held, respectively. The competitive action will conclude on May 24 with the open tournament for professionals and the individual for amateurs.
- Finally, on May 24 and 25, the 4th Paros Way multi-sport event is being organized in the bay of Parikia, Paros. This is an athletic and touristic event that includes running events at distances of 5 km. and 21 km., swimming 750 m.., 1.5 km,. and 3 km. and an aquathlon, with 750 m. swimming and 5 km. running (individual and relay). The event is aimed at professional and amateur athletes, both adults and children, while it also includes parallel events, such as a pasta party and the Soft Yoga Flow event.
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