The Zagori Mountain Running event in Greece has set a participation record with more than 2,800 runners from 35 countries participating last week.
Thousands of people attended the 13th annual event in Zagorochoria from July 19 to 21, and in what is Greece’s biggest mountain running event.
Runners from three to 79 years old, and more than 11,000 visitors were in Zagori, boosting tourism as they raced and took part in festivities.
Athletes had come from all over the world including Australia, Greece and Cyprus, all across Europe and the Americas.
Vassilis Tzoumakas, race organiser and owner of My Adventure and Fifth Element (race supporters) said they were happy and proud that the event took place with safety and respect for the environment and achievied record participation.
The official opening of Zagori Mountain Running 2024 took place on Friday, July 19, featuring a welcome and race presentation by the organising committee of Mara Kalogirou, Vassilis Tzoumakas and Alexandros Kalogirou.
As part of this year’s event, a collectible bracelet was presented, supporting the Bone Marrow Donor Center of the University of Patras (KEDMOP).
Events included the TeRA race of 60km and a half marathon (21km) that ran through four villages and bridges, including Hatsiou, Kokkori, and Tritoxo.
The TeRA 60km race was won by Dimitris Seletis, who set a course record. In the women’s category, Maria Xanthou finished first.
In Tsepelovo, children over 400 children participated in the ZAGORAKI race. The first race day concluded with the Fun race (5km), which took place around the village.
Many more races also took place across the three-day event.
Results (from first to third)
TeRA 60km race
Men’s: Dimitris Seletis, Dimitris Eleftheriou, Theodoros Zisis
Women’s: Maria Xanthou, Nikoletta Tzavara, Lemonia Panagiotou
Zagori Classic Race (33km)
Men’s: Vasilis Balamotis, Theodoros Ziakkas, Georgios Natsiopoulos
Women’s: Fotini Meidani, Marianna Barouti, Georgia Kanouta
Challenge (60+33km) race
Men’s: George Dimoulas, Christos Sakkas, Nikos Rodopoulos
Women’s: Lemonia Panagiotou, Christina Chanou, Fotini Theochadari
Half Marathon (21km) race
Men’s: Giorgos Stamoulis, Nikos Ponireas, Emmanouil Pourikas
Women’s: Isabella Kotsacheili, Lamprini Liouta, Theriani Tsiati
Forest (10km) race
Men’s: Giorgos Stamoulis, Stavros Gkinis, Charalambos Delis
Women’s: Chrysoula Vlissarouli and Pauline Bec (dual first place), Zoe Andrikopoulou
Fun (5km) race
Men’s: Nick Lampropoulos, Orestis Papagiannis, Athanasios Zemadanis
Women’s: Chrysoula Antonopoulou, Melina Pargana, Maria Kazakou
