The Navarino Challenge in Greece is inviting athletes/tourists of all ages to participate at the three-day sports event taking place 13-15 October in Costa Navarino and Messinia. Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, the multi-award winning event aims to promote the Olympic ‘spirit and ideal, and fair play’.
On Saturday 14 October, an open water swimming event kicks off at 10:00 CET at the Bay of Navarino. Starting from the picturesque port of Pylos, participants will cover a 1-mile (1.6 km) swimming route, designed by the Federal Technical Coach of Swimming, Nikos Gemelos.
At 10:30, Kids’ Athletics will take place at the Pylos town square, joined by the event ambassador Periklis Iakovakis, Olympic & World Champion at 400m hurdles. Kids’ Athletics has been developed and set in place by a special panel of scientists from the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) and is organized in Greece by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
For the second consecutive year, focus will switch to a Stand Up Paddling (SUP) demonstration race by BIC Sport (at 11:30 at Pylos port), with the support of Surf Salad at Costa Navarino.
On Sunday 15 October, participants can embark on the half-marathon (21.1K), 10K (joint start time at 08:15), and 5K (start time 08:30) routes, while the 1km running route for children (09:30) will also take place. The run events will be timed for all runners.
The event will be supported for the first time by official sponsor Sportingbet, one of the world’s leading online gaming companies. On behalf of Sportingbet, Giannis Kapodistrias, stated “We are very pleased to support such a great sports event such as Navarino Challenge, which is taking place all across Messinia. Sportingbet is distinguished for its dynamism, energy to achieve goals, passion for sport, which are also found at Navarino Challenge. We are very proud of the fact that Navarino Challenge promotes the benefits of exercise and balanced nutrition and raise awareness regarding childhood obesity.”
The gala dinner, ‘A Night to Remember by Qatar Airways’, will be held on Saturday 14 October, for the guests and participants staying at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino. The event will also honour athletes who have been distinguished for their ethics and contribution to sport.
For those wishing to stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, a full program of events is included in their stay, with activities such as taekwondo (by the twice silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis), Kids’ Athletics (with the Olympic and World Champion Periklis Iakovakis), boccia (with the Gold Paralympic athlete Grigoris Polychronidis), climbing and bike rides at Voidokilia beach (supported by Navarino Outdoors), pilates (with the PE instructor specialized in pilates Mandy Persaki), basketball, golf (supported by the Navarino Golf Academy) kick boxing (with the champion Alexandros Nikolaidis), baby swimming and aqua aerobics (supported by Swim Academy), tennis cross training (supported by Navarino Racquet Academy) and boxing (supported by Vizantinos target sport club).
Samsung will join the event for the first time as the official technology partner, with the eco-system of its Samsung Galaxy devices. Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, combined with the camera Gear 360 and Gear VR, will aim to ‘enrich the experience of participants and spectators alike, with unique 360° content’.
The pasta brand Melissa also joins this year’s event as the official nutrition supporter, promoting a message about the benefits of the Mediterranean nutrition and the balanced Mediterranean diet.
Navarino Challenge will be held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the co-organization of Costa Navarino, the Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group and the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.
Sponsor partners include:
- Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways
- Official Technology Partner: Samsung
- Official Sponsors: Sportingbet, Vikos Natural Mineral Water, Ford Motor Hellas
- Official Nutrition Supporter: Melissa
- Official Supporters: BIC, BIC Sport, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad
- Strategic Partner: National Geographic
The event is also assisted by: Inbi, Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy, Apia, Health Runners Club of Messinia, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association ‘Nestor’, Explore Messinia, Navarino Golf Academy, Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), IAAF Kids Athletics, Vizantinos target sport club.
