Navarino Challenge 2021
- by XpatAthens
Navarino Challenge is one of the most important events in Greece’s sports tourism calendar. After a challenging period for all, the first Greek event to be distinguished at the World Tourism Awards in London, and a landmark for Messinia, makes a dynamic comeback. On October 15-17, 2021, visitors from all over the world will experience once again a series of activities at Costa Navarino and Pylos, that will generate positive emotions, highlight the authentic values of the sports ideal, promote the Olympic spirit and bring life to one of the most beautiful regions of Greece, Messinia.
More than 30 sports activities, with the presence of Olympic athletes alongside amateur athletes of all ages and abilities, in the utmost safe destination, compose the elements of the top sports tourism celebration, Navarino Challenge.
The event returns for the 9 th year and with its global message “sport unites people”, brings everyone together again, offering the opportunity to Greek and foreign participants, to discover through this top sports fest, the Messinian magical landscape and its history.
Discover your favorite sport alongside Olympic athletes
Navarino Challenge is the richest and most unique sports festival, as it offers the opportunity for everyone to discover the sport they prefer the most, among more than 30 sports activities and 15 Olympic sports. All these sports take place together with role model athletes and Olympians who promote the Olympic values, such as the boccia gold Paralympic medalist and world champion Grigoris Polychronidis, the two times silver Olympic medalist in taekwondo Alexandros Nikolaidis, the Olympian athlete and EuroBasket MVP, Evina Maltsi, the Olympian athlete and European champion at 400m. with hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis and the European long jump champion who competes at the Tokyo Olympics, Miltos Tentoglou.
Run in the unique Greek Half Marathon crossing Voidokilia beach
Participants in the Navarino Challenge 2021 will have the opportunity to run in one of the top Greek Half Marathons of 21.1km, together with the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean (Konstantine) Karnazes. They will also have the ability to choose the 10km route or the fun 5km route by Samsung, which can be completed even with dynamic walking. Runners, starting from Navarino Dunes at Costa Navarino, will run along the coast to Pylos and will cross the beautiful beach of Voidokilia, while passing by 2 Gialova lagoon. On the same day, the 1km children’s route will be held in two groups, for children 10-14 years old and kids up to 9 years of age.
Register now in the running activities
Runners can act promptly and take advantage of the early bird offer on registrations until August 10. Athletes can register in the Half Marathon with a 40% discount and find out about valid early bird offers in all other routes. The children’s race is held at no cost. The event, always having the participants as a top priority, offers a refund on their registration costs until August 31.
Entries for Navarino Challenge are underway and interested parties can participate by completing the available form HERE!
Sea kayaking
Starting from Poseidonia in the port of Pylos, on Saturday, October 16, a sea kayak tour around the island of Sphacteria will take place, with the support of Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards the inner side of the Navarino Bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria. For entries: welcome (at) exploremessinia.com
Take part in the Beach Volleyball Tournament
Overlooking the sand dunes and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, The Dunes Beach will host the Navarino Challenge King of the Court Beach Volley Tournament by Samsung for the first time. The Olympic sport of beach volleyball returns with the former international Greek volleyball player and record holder of participations with the Greek National Team, Michalis Triantafyllidis, as its ambassador. On Saturday, October 16, the tournament will include separate categories for men and women, while on Sunday, October 17, the tournament will be mixed. During this weekend, the beach volleyball lessons by Samsung will also be held. All beach volleyball activities are carried out with the support of Triantafyllidis Beach Arena. For registrations and more information: info(at)beacharena.gr
Outdoor activities for the whole family
The schedule of Navarino Challenge offers you the opportunity to come closer to sports and their benefits, alongside top instructors. Specifically, you can take part in activities such as taekwondo with the two times silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, basketball lessons for children 5 to 16 years old, with the Olympian Evina Maltsi & the Euroleague Legend Joe Arlauckas, 4on4 basketball tournament, beachathlon for children 6 to 13 years old with the Olympian and European champion Periklis Iakovakis, boxing lessons with the champion Christos Gatsis & the Vizantinos Target Sport Club, kick boxing lessons for all ages with the champion Alexandros Nikolaidis, high intensity training by Nestle Fitness for all ages, group cycling (spinning challenge), crossfit & beach yoga with the top personal trainer Dimitris Moros & FitnessArt, Pilates lessons by Nestle Fitness with the team of the physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki, tennis cross training with the support of Navarino Racquet Academy and Panellinios Agora Games, bike ride to Voidokilia and climbing lessons in collaboration with Navarino Outdoors and golf lessons with the support of Navarino Golf Academy.
Book your room today
Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package which is full of sports activities and includes half board and the richest buffet in Messinian food & flavors. Live the unique sports and cultural experience that is offered to you. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Check the accommodation packages here
At the top of the 2021 Tourism Awards with a Platinum Award
The highest distinction of the Platinum award was received at the Tourism Awards for the “Advertising Campaign & Media Promotion” of Navarino Challenge. In a difficult year during the pandemic, this top event managed to design an innovative campaign, informing the public about the pandemic and safety measures for all, with simultaneous educational, recreational, and experiential additions. Moreover, the event won the Silver award at the “Travel Show” category for the highly successful collaboration with the award-winning Greek-American Chef, Diane Kochilas and the great Greek-American ultra-marathon runner Dean (Konstantine) Karnazes, highlighting the Mediterranean diet and promoting Messinia and Costa Navarino, as an ideal health & wellness tourism destination through the award-winning travel & cooking show “My Greek Table”, on American Public Television.
An event with safety and health protocols
The event, considering the current health regulations, will be implemented with the strict specifications set by the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports and the relevant sports federations. Always having the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be conducted based on the health protocol established by its experienced staff, certified by the World Health Organization, based on the instructions of the General Secretariat of Sports’ expert scientists-collaborators as well as the epidemiological data and suggestions of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports. Participants will be able to enter the event’s venue only if they provide a vaccination certificate (showing that 14 days have passed after the 2 nd dose) or alternatively a molecular PCR test against Covid- 19, with a negative result. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
More than 30 sports activities, with the presence of Olympic athletes alongside amateur athletes of all ages and abilities, in the utmost safe destination, compose the elements of the top sports tourism celebration, Navarino Challenge.
The event returns for the 9 th year and with its global message “sport unites people”, brings everyone together again, offering the opportunity to Greek and foreign participants, to discover through this top sports fest, the Messinian magical landscape and its history.
Discover your favorite sport alongside Olympic athletes
Navarino Challenge is the richest and most unique sports festival, as it offers the opportunity for everyone to discover the sport they prefer the most, among more than 30 sports activities and 15 Olympic sports. All these sports take place together with role model athletes and Olympians who promote the Olympic values, such as the boccia gold Paralympic medalist and world champion Grigoris Polychronidis, the two times silver Olympic medalist in taekwondo Alexandros Nikolaidis, the Olympian athlete and EuroBasket MVP, Evina Maltsi, the Olympian athlete and European champion at 400m. with hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis and the European long jump champion who competes at the Tokyo Olympics, Miltos Tentoglou.
Run in the unique Greek Half Marathon crossing Voidokilia beach
Participants in the Navarino Challenge 2021 will have the opportunity to run in one of the top Greek Half Marathons of 21.1km, together with the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean (Konstantine) Karnazes. They will also have the ability to choose the 10km route or the fun 5km route by Samsung, which can be completed even with dynamic walking. Runners, starting from Navarino Dunes at Costa Navarino, will run along the coast to Pylos and will cross the beautiful beach of Voidokilia, while passing by 2 Gialova lagoon. On the same day, the 1km children’s route will be held in two groups, for children 10-14 years old and kids up to 9 years of age.
Register now in the running activities
Runners can act promptly and take advantage of the early bird offer on registrations until August 10. Athletes can register in the Half Marathon with a 40% discount and find out about valid early bird offers in all other routes. The children’s race is held at no cost. The event, always having the participants as a top priority, offers a refund on their registration costs until August 31.
Entries for Navarino Challenge are underway and interested parties can participate by completing the available form HERE!
Sea kayaking
Starting from Poseidonia in the port of Pylos, on Saturday, October 16, a sea kayak tour around the island of Sphacteria will take place, with the support of Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards the inner side of the Navarino Bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria. For entries: welcome (at) exploremessinia.com
Take part in the Beach Volleyball Tournament
Overlooking the sand dunes and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, The Dunes Beach will host the Navarino Challenge King of the Court Beach Volley Tournament by Samsung for the first time. The Olympic sport of beach volleyball returns with the former international Greek volleyball player and record holder of participations with the Greek National Team, Michalis Triantafyllidis, as its ambassador. On Saturday, October 16, the tournament will include separate categories for men and women, while on Sunday, October 17, the tournament will be mixed. During this weekend, the beach volleyball lessons by Samsung will also be held. All beach volleyball activities are carried out with the support of Triantafyllidis Beach Arena. For registrations and more information: info(at)beacharena.gr
Outdoor activities for the whole family
The schedule of Navarino Challenge offers you the opportunity to come closer to sports and their benefits, alongside top instructors. Specifically, you can take part in activities such as taekwondo with the two times silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, basketball lessons for children 5 to 16 years old, with the Olympian Evina Maltsi & the Euroleague Legend Joe Arlauckas, 4on4 basketball tournament, beachathlon for children 6 to 13 years old with the Olympian and European champion Periklis Iakovakis, boxing lessons with the champion Christos Gatsis & the Vizantinos Target Sport Club, kick boxing lessons for all ages with the champion Alexandros Nikolaidis, high intensity training by Nestle Fitness for all ages, group cycling (spinning challenge), crossfit & beach yoga with the top personal trainer Dimitris Moros & FitnessArt, Pilates lessons by Nestle Fitness with the team of the physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki, tennis cross training with the support of Navarino Racquet Academy and Panellinios Agora Games, bike ride to Voidokilia and climbing lessons in collaboration with Navarino Outdoors and golf lessons with the support of Navarino Golf Academy.
Book your room today
Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package which is full of sports activities and includes half board and the richest buffet in Messinian food & flavors. Live the unique sports and cultural experience that is offered to you. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Check the accommodation packages here
At the top of the 2021 Tourism Awards with a Platinum Award
The highest distinction of the Platinum award was received at the Tourism Awards for the “Advertising Campaign & Media Promotion” of Navarino Challenge. In a difficult year during the pandemic, this top event managed to design an innovative campaign, informing the public about the pandemic and safety measures for all, with simultaneous educational, recreational, and experiential additions. Moreover, the event won the Silver award at the “Travel Show” category for the highly successful collaboration with the award-winning Greek-American Chef, Diane Kochilas and the great Greek-American ultra-marathon runner Dean (Konstantine) Karnazes, highlighting the Mediterranean diet and promoting Messinia and Costa Navarino, as an ideal health & wellness tourism destination through the award-winning travel & cooking show “My Greek Table”, on American Public Television.
An event with safety and health protocols
The event, considering the current health regulations, will be implemented with the strict specifications set by the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports and the relevant sports federations. Always having the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be conducted based on the health protocol established by its experienced staff, certified by the World Health Organization, based on the instructions of the General Secretariat of Sports’ expert scientists-collaborators as well as the epidemiological data and suggestions of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports. Participants will be able to enter the event’s venue only if they provide a vaccination certificate (showing that 14 days have passed after the 2 nd dose) or alternatively a molecular PCR test against Covid- 19, with a negative result. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
EVENT INFO
- When: 15 Oct 2021 - 17 Oct 2021
- Where: Costa Navarino
- Title: Navarino Challenge 2021
- Website: www.navarinochallenge.com/