Leading off-road tri series XTERRA has noted the growing popularity of off-road multisport in Greece. This is following the inaugural XTERRA Greece event in 2013. Now, XTERRA notes the country will have its first trail run and bike events on 2 March in Athens.
“In people’s minds, the XTERRA brand is closely associated with the sport of triathlon in Greece, so our goal for 2014 is to make XTERRA known not only for its multisport races but also for trail run and biking,” said Race Director Konstantinos Koumargialis.
The Greece Trail Run is one of several international events in March. XTERRA trail runs are also scheduled for Brazil (16 March), Costa Rica (30 March), and Australia (30 March).
The Greece trail run event will offer 6.5K and 15K routes. The run and bike courses share some similarities with the June triathlon at Lake Plastira; and have attracted athletes who plan to compete in the triathlon during the summer.
“Since last year’s XTERRA Greece triathlon race, the sport of triathlon in particular has grown in popularity in a big way,” said Koumargialis, who is also planning a few swim and run races in the country towards the end of 2014.
On Sunday 2 March 2014, two separate events on the outskirts of Athens, the XTERRA Trail Run and mountain bike race will broaden the scope of multisport racing in Greece. The XTERRA Trail Run race will start at 10:30 local time with 6.5K and 15K distance options.
The XTERRA MTB race will start at 13:30; and again there will be 2 distances to choose from: 15K and 30K.
The aim of the events are to give the opportunity to runners and cyclists ‘to compete, enjoy the participation, get in contact with nature, explore the beautiful trails of the area and finally test their endurance, in a safe & organized environment.’
Gearing up for second XTERRA Greece
Meanwhile, the organizing committee of XTERRA Greece, is gearing up for the second XTERRA Greece Championship event, which will take place at Lake Plastira, Karditsa on 21 June 2014. The 2013 inaugural event attracted top professional and amateur athletes from 25 countries; and, according to the race organisers, last year’s event marked a record number of triathlon participants in Greece.
Lake Plastira, located in the Prefecture of Karditsa, has been named after Nikolaos Plastiras, a former Prime Minister of Greece. It is situated 30km west of Karditsa town and is 340km from Athens airport, 230km from Thessaloniki airport and 130km from Volos airport. The man-made lake has a huge arch-shaped dam 83m high and some 200m in length.
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The picturesque Lake Plastira in the Agrafa Mountains is a popular tourism destination. Villages such as Mesenikolas, Morfovouni, Kerasia, Kalyvia Pezoula, Neraida, Belokomitis, Kastania, Lambero and others surrounding the lake, are said to be enchanting because of the splendid views and mountain backdrop.
XTERRA Greece is offering complete travel packages for the event, including race entry, transportation, accommodation, meals etc.
