Athens, July 4 2016 – “Navarino Challenge” never stops to surprise and to keep the public’s interest undiminished…!

More specifically, the -favorite to everyone- activity of running, that was established since 2013, with the Greek American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes as its key ambassador, returns with renewed routes!

On Sunday September 11, 2016 runners starting from Navarino Dunes in Costa Navarino will participate in a non-competitive running to Pylos beach, crossing Voidokilia beach for the first time and following the trail mapped out, back in Homer’s years, by Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, trying to find his missing father. According to the Homeric tradition, when the son of Odysseus arrived on the beach on a ship, he had with him the goddess Athena disguised as Mentor. On their way, runners will discover the mythical Voidokilia, the most famous beach in Messinia –with its unique shape that outlines the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet, written as “Ω”- and one of the best in the world!

This year's Half Marathon (21.1 km) and 10 km running routes will start at 08:15 in the morning while the 5km route (for running and dynamic walking) will start at 08:30. Similarly, the 1 km route designed for children will begin at 09:30 in the morning. The start and finish points are common. This year, the routes have been designed and edited by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. A detailed description of the routes including maps and technical details (altitude) is available in the following link: http://navarinochallenge.com/event_routes_2016_en.html

“Navarino Challenge” innovates and presents for the first time the activity of Kids' Athletics with its ambassador, the Olympic and World Champion in 400m. hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis. This is an activity aiming at getting children acquainted with the track and field sports, and has been developed and established by a special panel of scientists from IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation). In Greece the activity is officially implemented by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Kids' Athletics include, among others, the activity of standing long jump, the sport of the world famous Olympic champion and legendary Kostis Tsiklitiras, who was born in Pylos Messinia, which will be presented on September 10th in the central Square of Pylos, and on Sunday the 11th of September in Costa Navarino. Periklis Iakovakis said about his participation: “I invite all our little friends at the Kids' Athletics program of Navarino Challenge to get to know the various sports of athletics. Through a program lasting about one hour, we will do jumps, throws, sprints and relay! But above all we will have a good time and have fun. Join us now and we will be expecting you for a wonderful weekend full of sports”.

For the first time in a sports tourism event, the top airline in the world, Qatar Airways, offers the opportunity to anyone who wishes to participate in “Navarino Challenge”, to book his/her flights from abroad, with a discount up to 25%, thus ideally completing the accommodation packages created and sold at a fast pace.

The new flights of the official airline partner of the event from Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta in USA and the direct flights from Sydney and Adelaide in Australia, with one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world, with the luxury and of course the comfort of Qatar Airways, combined with this significant discount in the cost of the airline tickets, will be an additional incentive for the arrival of visitors from these countries but also from all countries where the global network of the company reaches.

Please use the promo code ATHNAVCH6 to book the exclusive offer, via the following link: http://www.qatarairways.com/gr/el/cugs/navarinochallenge.page

Offer valid from 30 August 2016 to 11 September 2016 included (Outbound) and (Inbound) to be completed on or before 21 September 2016.

Book your room now (almost less than 75 days before the event) at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and take advantage of the privileged prices available for those wishing to enjoy the full schedule of “Navarino Challenge. For further information please contact the event’s official travel agent Vita N Travel. Telephone: +30 210 3249070 or visit: http://navarinochallenge.com/event_accommodation_in_2016_en.html

“Navarino Challenge” will be held for the 4th consecutive year in Messinia and Costa Navarino on 9-11 September 2016, with more than 18 activities! Registrations are open and anyone can take part in activities of running, swimming and SUP by filling the special form available at the following link: http://activemedia.com.gr/product/navarino-challenge/

The event will be held for one more year, under the Auspices of the Department of Nutrition and-Dietetics of Harokopio University of Athens with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

For more information about the event, you may contact us through the following special form: http://www.navarinochallenge.com/contact.html

Official Sponsors: Allianz Greece, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water
Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways
Official Supporters: BIC®, BIC® Sport, Navarino Icons, Village Cinemas
Assisted by: Health Runners Club of Messinia, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Explore Messinia, Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Aqua Divers Club, Scuba Hellas, Navarino Golf Academy, Restaurant Posidonia Restaurant ThaMa, Alpha (Athlima SA), Department of Sports Organization & Management from University of Peloponnese, Anazoe Spa Costa Navarino, 1morekm, Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), IAAF Kids Athletics, Apia, Inbi
Official Travel Agent: Vita N Travel Official Broadcaster: OTE TV
TV Communication Partner: National Geographic Channel

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• Stay calm.
• Relocate all flammable materials around the building to closed and protected areas.
• Close all the passages (chimneys, windows, doors, etc) to prevent sparks from entering the building.
• Shut off all the gas and liquid-fuel supplies.
• Open the gate of the garden to facilitate fire-fighting vehicle access.
• Put a ladder outside the building so that someone is able to climb immediately on the roof. 
• Switch on the interior and exterior lights to increase visibility

White landscapes, cozy corners, hot chocolate, and moments by the fireplace. Yes, this time of the year has come! So, what if there is a place that combines all of the above, it’s cosmopolitan, and at the same time, you can find peaceful escapes that will set your mind and soul free?

Arachova is the one and during winter is transformed into a bustling little city. This beautiful mountainous village that is known for its breathtaking nature and historical background is situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos in Viotia (the highest mountain in Greece after Mount Olympus), Southern Greece.

The tourism facilities of Arachova, which are fully developed, make it an ideal destination for ski lovers or the ones who are seeking other outdoor facilities, such as snowboard, hiking, and mountain bike or just walking through the cobblestone streets. Furthermore, even if you don’t belong to the adventurous visitor category and you just want to relax in cute cafes and cozy guesthouses, again, Arachova is perfect for you.

At the same time, though, we should not forget that this picturesque village carries interesting history and cultural heritage. Byzantine churches and monasteries hold their own place in Arachova, whilst in really close proximity you will find Delphi, the ancient sanctuary that is recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. In ancient times, Delphi was considered to be by the Greeks the center of the world, the ‘navel of the world’, ‘Omphalos’. Questions were asked to the Oracle Pythia (modern-day Google!) in a will for consultation on crucial decisions. Delphi was also the center of worship of the God Apollo. Delphi is undoubtedly a must-visit while in Arahova.

Arachova also offers traditional Greek food, namely presenting ‘trahana’, a traditional Greek and Cypriot dish, usually found in the villages and is made with either semolina, wheat flour, or cracked wheat and ‘hilopites’, Greek egg pasta. Moreover, it stands out for spoon sweets, yogurt with honey, olives, dry wines, the ‘formaela’ cheese, and grilled meat. You can taste all these in restaurants and taverns, but you can also buy many of the above from local shops. 

Last but not least, you may as well pay a visit to Eptalofos or Agoriani, a charming mountain village that lies at the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. Its central square is a beauty and there are many options for dining, coffee, and dessert all around. Agoriani is only 11 km far from Parnassus ski center and it's a quiet escape from the bustling Arachova.

Main image: @arachova_greece

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com