On September 28th, Lampeia of Ilia, also known as Divri, is planning to host the 7th Divris HardTrailRace, a top mountain running event that has become a point of reference for amateur and professional athletes. The race, organized by the Municipality of Ancient Olympia in collaboration with the Divri Mountaineering Athletic Association, has managed to establish itself as the most important running event in the region in six events, with the number of participants consistently exceeding 250 athletes.
Runners will compete on demanding routes that highlight the natural beauty of Divri. The program includes a 32-kilometer race with a positive elevation gain of 2,250 meters, a 16.8-kilometer race with an elevation gain of 1,070 meters, and a 9.3-kilometer route with an elevation gain of 460 meters. In addition, a 1.4-kilometer children’s race will be held, reinforcing the family nature of the event. Starts are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., depending on the length of the route.
According to the organizers, the contribution of the event to the tourist promotion of the area is decisive. During the week of the race, accommodations in Divri, Tripotama, Livartzi, Panopoulo, Foloi and Lala record occupancy rates approaching 100%, while local restaurants and businesses experience a significant boost. The strengthening of the local economy, combined with the increase in visitor numbers, gives a new perspective to a remote mountainous area that aspires to become a destination for sports and ecotourism.
Beyond the purely competitive aspect, the Divris HardTrailRace serves to promote the sporting ideal and the extroversion of the area. With the support of institutions and volunteers, the event continues to grow and establish itself in the national racing calendar, confirming that Divris has now occupied a special place on the map of Greek mountain running races.
