Olympians & European Champions Set To Meet At Santorini Experience 2026

The countdown to Santorini Experience 2026 has begun. From October 16 to 18, Santorini will welcome leading athletes, runners, swimmers and visitors from Greece and abroad for the 12th edition of the event.

This year's programme is richer than ever, with new participants, side activities and experiences that go beyond the purely competitive element, bringing sport, the local community and entertainment closer together.

The race programme is as follows: on Friday 16 October, the Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km and the Sandblu 5km Kamari Coast Pet Run in Kamari; on Saturday 17 October, 2.4km open-water swimming from the Volcano to the Old Port of Fira and on Sunday 18 October, 15km powered by The North Face, 10km powered by SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS Group, and the 5km “Aristidis Alafouzos” powered by Miele, starting and finishing at the desalination plant in Oia.

More major names are joining the swimming race. Taking to the waters of the Caldera will be Hungary’s David Betlehem, bronze medallist in the 10km open-water event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; his compatriot Bettina Fábián, Europe’s top open-water swimmer for 2025; France’s Caroline Laure Jouisse, a European Champion with 16 from medals at major competitions; and Japanese Olympian Yasu Fukuoka. They will be joined by Dutch swimmer Marcel Schouten, a World and European Championship medallist. Together, they add further strength to an already impressive international line-up featuring Leonie Beck, Barbara Pozzobon, Anna Greta Olasz and Mario Sanzullo.

Two more champions will also dive into the waters of Santorini, supported by VIKOS VIKOS Natural Mineral Water: Georgia Damasioti, silver medallist in the 100m butterfly at the 2024 European Championships, European U23 Champion and a two-time silver medallist at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto; and Nicole Pavlopoulou, holder of the Greek national record in the 200m individual medley and bronze medallist at the same Games. For a while, the two athletes will leave the pools and stopwatches behind for an iconic route from the Volcano to Fira, with the Caldera as their spectacular stage.

Periklis Iakovakis, Olympian and one of the most prominent figures in Greek athletics, will also be present. Internationally renowned ultramarathon runner Konstantinos Dean Karnazes, whose name is associated with some of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges together with ultramarathon runner Jo Manta

MOTODYNAMICS Group supports Santorini Experience for another year and, through its ambassadors, highlights its strategic pillars: sport, education, road safety and support for those in need.

On Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, educational talks for primary, junior high and high school students of the Municipality of Thira will take place at the Bellonio Cultural Centre in Fira, featuring the Group’s ambassadors as speakers.

Dimitris Papanikolaou, basketball an Olympian and European Champion in basketball, will speak about diversity and inclusion, while Thanasis Chountras, a motorsport coach, will focus on responsible road behaviour. Elina Tzengko, European Champion in the javelin, and Antigoni Ntrismpioti, European Champion in race walking, will share personal experiences and stories from their journeys in elite sport with the students.

The new route making its debut this year now has its official name: Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km. On Friday, October 16 at 17:30, starting and finishing at Sandblu Santorini in Kamari, runners will follow a 5km circular route alongside the Aegean Sea and beneath the archaeological site of Ancient Thera. With gentle elevation changes, the course is open to both runners and walkers.

For the first time, starting at the same hour and from the same starting point, the Sandblu 5km Kamari Coast Pet Run will also get underway: a 5km route along the Kamari coastline created for our four-legged friends. Here, time is not what matters - companionship is. Participants can enjoy a seaside walk or an easy run with their best friend, at whatever pace suits them. They will cross the finish line together with their dog and celebrate their participation at pet-friendly Sandblu Santorini, which opens its doors to runners and their four-legged companions. The Pet Run adds a more relaxed, family-friendly dimension to the three-day event and is one of the few races in Greece dedicated to pets and their people.

Santorini Experience is now measured not only in entries and finishing times, but also through research data. According to research on the 2025 event, 97% of participants reported a positive to very positive overall impression, while 4 in 10 stayed on the island for more than a week in October, outside the traditional peak tourism season. Event visitors spend almost twice as much per day in Santorini as the average tourist in the South Aegean (INSETE data, first half of 2025). In addition, 7 in 10 travel with friends or family, while the intention to recommend Santorini as a holiday destination reaches 5.7 out of 7.

The destination image is equally strong: Santorini as the event host destination and its landscape both score 6.2 out of 7, while personal safety scores almost 6 out of 7. At the same time, 8 in 10 participants want the experience to include local cuisine, customs and culture - exactly the direction the event is embracing this year. Intention to participate again within the next two years reaches 5.8 out of 7.

The research was conducted by ActiveMedia Group under the academic supervision of the Sports Management programme at Deree - The American College of Greece (School of Business & Economics, Department of Management) and was funded by the Deree Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism & Leisure. Academic supervision was provided by Dr Stella Leivadi, Associate Professor & Sports Management Program Coordinator, Chair, Department of Management, School of Business & Economics, Fellow of the Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism & Leisure, and Dr Eugenia Tzoumaka, Associate Professor, Marketing/Sports Management, School of Business & Economics, Member of the Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism & Leisure, while volunteers also contributed to the research. The collaboration strengthens the academic foundation of the event, contributes to collective knowledge on sports tourism in Greece and highlights Santorini’s position within this field.

Santorini Experience remains closely connected to the local community: residents of Thira can once again participate free of charge in all races. Since 2015, the Municipality of Thira has offered its residents free participation in the major sporting events it organises, giving them the opportunity to compete alongside leading names in sport.

Free registrations are available exclusively at Alafouzos Sport in Fira, the Official Sports Store of the event, during store opening hours (Monday-Saturday, 09:00-20:30).

From Thursday, October 15, all participants will collect their race pack from Alafouzos Sport. Hellenic Swimming Federation (HSF) athletes must present their health card, while all other swimmers are required to provide a medical certificate from a cardiologist issued after August 16, 2026.

This year’s awards carry special symbolism, connecting athletic achievement with the island’s history and cultural heritage. The jewellery pieces that will be presented to the male and female winners have been designed by Konstantina Spanou (Spanou Jewelry).

In the swimming race, the men’s awards feature the Fisherman, one of the most iconic figures of Akrotiri, celebrating the profound relationship between people and the sea. For the women, the inspiration comes from the dolphins depicted in the Flotilla Fresco, symbols of vitality and movement closely associated with navigation in the prehistoric Aegean.

In the running races, the men’s awards draw inspiration from the famous 17th-century BC fresco “The Boxing Boys”. The two young boxers embody physical strength, athletic endeavour and fair competition, creating a direct dialogue with the competitive spirit of Santorini Experience.

For the female runners, the focus is on the papyrus flowers from the Papyrus Fresco in the House of the Ladies at Akrotiri. These botanical forms, combining an exotic quality with the local identity of the Aegean, symbolise renewal, fertility and feminine energy.

Through four distinct symbols, each award becomes a piece of Santorini’s history and a personal keepsake of achievement. This year’s honorary marble awards, created by artist Grigoris Kouskouris in collaboration with Othen Elemental Aesthetics, are inspired by the Kore of Thera.

SportAdore, the Official Sports Supplier of the event, is once again creating the official Running T-shirt, from the RAW collection by 42K, a Spanish company specialising in running and sustainable products.

The Dynair fabric, made from 100% recycled polyester and weighing just 100 g/m², features Dry-Tec technology that wicks moisture away rapidly.

The company is also producing the race-pack bag, likewise made from recycled raw materials.

The T-shirt and bag will accompany participants throughout the three-day event and remain as keepsakes of their time in Santorini, demonstrating in practice how expertise in sports apparel can be combined with responsible production.

For runners, The North Face, the event’s Official Trail Running Shoe and sponsor of the 15km route, brings the Summit VECTIV Pro 3 to Santorini, its top racing model for trail running and ultra-distance events. VECTIV 3.0 technology with a dual-plate system provides enhanced propulsion and stability; the new DREAM foam combines high energy return with low weight while maintaining comfort over long hours of running; and the highly breathable upper keeps the foot cool and secure. It is a shoe designed for high performance on the most demanding trails - perfectly suited to the volcanic terrain of the Caldera.

OAKBERRY, Partner of the event, aims to become an integral part of the experience, providing an extra boost during moments of challenge, discovery and celebration, against the backdrop of some of Santorini’s most iconic locations. The partnership brings together sport and OAKBERRY’s global community with a new generation of active and health-driven consumers.

Participants are entitled to a 20% discount on all products at the OAKBERRY store in Santorini, from October 15 to 19, upon presentation of proof of participation in the event.

On the evening of Friday, October 16, Marilyn Bar in Fira will host the Welcome Party powered by VIKOS COLA. Marilyn, a café by day and a cocktail bar after sunset, is one of the island capital’s most popular meeting points and the ideal setting for the first gathering of athletes, companions and friends of the event away from the race routes.

On the decks, DJ Junior Rush, who has played everywhere from New York clubs to Cavo Paradiso, sharing the decks with major names such as Tiësto, will set the tone for a three-day celebration of sport and entertainment.

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 17, renowned DJ Vasilis Tsilichristos will take over the Sunset Party in the grounds surrounding the Metropolitan Cathedral in Fira, with free admission for the public and views over the Caldera.

VIKOS Natural Mineral Water will be the Official Water of Santorini Experience 2026, present on every route, every effort and every moment of the event. From start to finish, it will be alongside the athletes, providing the refreshment they need to maintain their intensity and focus. It will also accompany everyone travelling to the island to experience the unique sporting atmosphere of Santorini Experience first-hand.

Participants can also enjoy special offers from the event’s sponsors.

SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS Group, offers a 15% discount on vehicle bookings through the dedicated page. The discount is applied automatically through the link, with no promo code required, and is valid from October 5 to 20, 2026.

Blue Star Ferries offers a 30% discount on passenger ferry tickets (all seating categories except cabins) and 30% on vehicle tickets for return journeys to Santorini from Piraeus, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. The offer is valid from October 10 to 25, 2026 for registered participants and up to three (3) companions per participant.

For reservations and ticket issuance, participants may contact the following port agencies:

Piraeus: GELASAKIS SHIPPING & TRAVEL CENTER, tel. +30 210 4222440

Santorini: DAKOUTROS TRAVEL, tel. +30 22860 22201

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Register here for the 5km “Aristidis Alafouzos” powered by Miele, 10km powered by SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS Group, 15km powered by The North Face, Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km, Sandblu 5km Kamari Coast Pet Run and the 2.4km swimming race!

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The Premium Mobility Partner of the event is SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS Group.

The Gold Sponsors of the event are Sandblu Santorini and AESTIAN Philoxenia & Hospitality.

The Official Airline Sponsor is SKY express.

The Official Trail Running Shoe is The North Face.

The Silver Sponsor of the event is Miele.

The Official Water is VIKOS Natural Mineral Water.

The Bronze Sponsor of the event is Blue Star Ferries.

The Official Technical T-shirt is 42K Running.

The Official Travel Agency is Santo Line Tours.

The Partners of the event are OAKBERRY, Santorini Boatmen Union and Caldera Yachting.

The Official Sports Store of the event is Alafouzos Sport.

The Official Supporters are Othen Elemental Aesthetics and Vacation Into Premium.

The Jewelry Partner is Spanou Jewelry.

The hotels supporting Santorini Experience to date are: Athina Luxury Suites, Sandblu Santorini, NOŪS Santorini, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini (Empiria Group), Katikies Garden Santorini, Santo Collection Resorts & Villas, Apeiron Blue, Canaves Collection, 270 Oia’s View, Lydia’s House, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, Aqua Vista Hotels, Agave Santorini Design Boutique Hotel, Holiday Beach Resort, Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Eteoro Suites Santorini, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Thimari Lodge, Rocabella Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Loizos Stylish Residences, Sea Sound White Katikies, The Muses of Santorini Suites, Kalisti Hotel & Suites, Phaos Santorini Suites, Santo Mangata, Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites, Santorini Heart Hotel & Spa, Fanouris Condo, Mon Signor, Epavlis Hotel, Blue Spa Santorini, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas, Sienna Eco Resort.

The event will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation.

Santorini Experience is co-organised by the Municipality of Thira, the Sports & Culture Department of the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group.

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