Navarino Challenge returns for the 3rd year!

1. Navarino Challenge returns for a third consecutive year. People have embraced the event. How do you feel about that? How do you feel that you will visit Messinia region for one more year?

As a proud Greek, I am deeply honored that so many people have supported “Navarino Challenge”. Now, more than ever, the Greeks need to come together and support each other. I am looking forward to my return to Messinia and I plan on coming back for many years into the future.

2. What has been captured in your mind from the first two years of Navarino Challenge and what is your hope/wish for this year’s event?

The Greek spirit is indomitable. I travel all over the world and there is no place like Greece, and there are no people like the Greeks. This year I hope to build upon our pass success and bring more people out to celebrate in health and wellness.

3. What is the message you wish to send this year?

One of strength and unity. Greece is in the grips of great difficulties. But Greece can overcome. It starts by having a healthy body. We cannot control the economy, but we can control ourselves. I want every Greek to be the best that they can be and let our Hellenic heritage shine. “Navarino Challenge” showcases the best of what Greece has to offer.

4. What do you think when you run? What pushes you to finish any marathon you run?

Our forefather, Pheidippides was the founder of the marathon. This brings me pride and I fight to uphold his name and accomplishment. The modern marathon is all because of Pheidippides and we Greeks have strength and endurance in our blood.

5. How easy is it to overcome human limits? We often think that we cannot finish a route… 

Pain is the body’s way of ridding itself of weakness. We are better than we think we are and we can go farther than we think we can. Run when you are able, walk when you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up!

6. What is your advice to the people who are involved with running in Greece?

You don’t have to go fast, and you don’t have to go far, you just have to go. Have the courage to try and your life will be forever changed. “O TOLMON NIKA!”

Read the interview›
MESSINIA
Good News

Navarino Challenge returns for the 3rd year!

The multiple award-winning sports event «Navarino Challenge» enriches its program with many more activities for all the family and welcomes you on September 11-13, 2015 in Messinia and Costa Navarino!

Sports fans of all ages will enjoy a weekend full of activities such as Running, Swimming, Family Challenge, Cycling, Tae Kwon Do, Climbing, Pilates and Kick Boxing!

Many personalities from the world of sports will honor the event with their participation, and will help all participants to get better acquainted with this year’s sports activities. The Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes and ambassador of “Navarino Challenge” will be back for the third consecutive year. He will be joined by the Olympic medalist and twice World Champion swimmer Spyros Gianniotis, the twice silver Olympic medalist in taekwondo, Alexandros Nikolaidis, the top pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki and her team as well as another Alexandros Nikolaidis, the kick boxing champion.

On Saturday September 12th, participants at “Navarino Challenge” will have the chance to swim in the 1 mile swimming route (1.6km) which is specially designed by the federal coach of swimming Nikos Gemelos at Gialova beach. Respectively, our younger friends will have the opportunity to swim a half-mile distance route (0.8km).

This year’s running routes, on Sunday September 13th, include a Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km and 5km routes (for running and dynamic walking) and 1km route for children. All routes will have the same starting and finish point  (at Navarino Dunes, Costa Navarino) with runners following the coastal road towards Pylos, with the route including several off road parts, while athletes of all distances will enjoy the spectacular backdrop of Voidokilia beach, named  among the best beaches in the world, before heading to the finish point.

In the following link you may find more information about this year’s routes:

http://navarinochallenge.com/event_routes_2015.html

Those who wish to spend an unforgettable weekend full of sports and entertainment, can register at the official page of the event:

http://navarinochallenge.com/registration_form.php

The event is taking place for a 3rd consecutive year with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and is also supported by the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Website: www.navarinochallenge.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Navarinochallenge

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/NavarinoC

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/NavarinoChallenge

Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/navarinochallenge

Hashtag: #NavarinoChallenge

About Dean Karnazes

TIME magazine named Dean Karnazes as one of the «Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.» Men’s Fitness hailed him as one of the fittest men on the planet. An internationally recognized endurance athlete and NYC bestselling author, Dean has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. Among his many accomplishments, he has run 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights. He has run across Death Valley in 120 degree temperatures, and he has run a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. On ten different occasions, he has run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve.

His most recent endeavor was running 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the NYC Marathon, which he ran in three hours flat. Dean and his incredible adventures have been featured on 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, The Howard Stern Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, the BBC, and many others. He has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World and Outside, and been featured in, to mention a few. He is a monthly columnist for Men’s Health, the largest Men’s publication in the world.

Read more about Dean Karnazes

Read his interview at ellines.com above

Costa Navarino 

Costa Navarino is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Its philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage. It will comprise a number of distinct sites featuring 5-star deluxe hotels, luxury residences, conference facilities, spa and thalassotherapy centres, signature golf courses, as well as a wide range of unique year-round activities for adults and children. Navarino Dunes, the first area, is home to two luxury 5-star hotels, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino; The Dunes Course – the first signature golf course in Greece- Anazoe Spa, a 4,000sq.m. spa & thalassotherapy centre; the state-of-the-art conference centre House of Events; specially designed facilities for children; as well as a variety of gastronomy venues, sports, outdoor and cultural activities. Navarino Bay, the second area is home to the signature golf course, The Bay Course.

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