Foto:The Authentic Marathon Swim (photo by Elias Lefas)

Discover the event’s routes

Time is running out for the historic race of The Authentic Marathon Swim that revives at Artemision 2,500 years later. Amateur and professional swimmers will enjoy the remarkable sporting event, on 4-6 September 2020, at Pefki, Evia, of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.

The authentic route

For the first time, after 2,500 years, the historic authentic 10km route will revive with the participation of world-class names that will swim over the shipwrecks of the historic naval battle of Artemision in 480 B.C. The demanding route is carried out at the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia and Fthiotida. The event, honoring the history of its location, will symbolically award the winners of the routes with a branch of Mavroelia from Artemision or Olive Mavromandila. It is a monument of nature and local history, one of the oldest olive trees in the world, located in the ancient settlement of Artemision, dating back over 2,500 years.

The health protocol of The Authentic Marathon Swim

The event, which has the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, will be held in accordance with the FINA regulations and the health protocol established by event experts, certified by the World Health Organization based on the guidance of the expert scientists-collaborators of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the epidemiological data and recommendations of Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee, aiming towards ensuring the health of athletes and attendees. More information about the health protocol of the event can be found here: https://bit.ly/2YwJKLR

 

 

The schedule

On Saturday, September 5 at 16:00 in the afternoon, action will begin with the 3km open water swimming race, while at 18:00 the 1.5km start will follow. Swimmers will cover the triangular route that has been designed with a start and finish point at Pefki beach. The warm-up of the athletes will be held by the physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki. Respectively, on Sunday, September 6, the event will culminate with the revival of the authentic 10km marathon swimming route. Sofia Psilolignou, the three-time Greek champion, in the 5 km and 10 km routes, and two-time English Channel marathon swimmer, will be added to the top names participating in this route. The swimmers of this race will meet at the Pefki beach’s pier, at 07:45 in the morning, to be transported by boats at the starting point, immediately after, at 08:00. The race will start at 08:30 with a finish point at Pefki beach. At the same time, at 09:30 in the morning, the 800m children’s race will be held. You may find the full schedule of the event here: www.authenticmarathonswim.com/schedule

 The swimming routes

All routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim have been designed by the Greek national swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games & world open water swimming championships, Nikos Gemelos. You may find the routes here: www.authenticmarathonswim.com/routes

 

 

 

What swimmers need to know & bring along

The event prioritizing the absolute safety of its athletes, will provide everyone with a high-quality safety lifeguard buoy. The participating athletes of the Hellenic Swimming Federation must have their respective health certificate, whereas all other swimmers must provide a health certificate from a cardiologist. The use of wetsuit is not allowed in the 10km route, while in the other routes, swimmers will not be included in the official results.

You may find here the detailed terms & conditions that participants should know: https://bit.ly/3j5LoMz

 

Registrations & Participation kit pick-ups

Registrations for the 10km route have already been completed, while those of 3km, 1.5km and the 800m children’s race continue at an undiminished pace. Interested parties can take part, by filling in the special form available at the following link: https://www.myrace.gr/en/event/2407/registrations.html

Please note that no registrations will be allowed on the day of the races. The event provides the opportunity of delivering the participation kit by courier, before the races, to avoid overcrowding in the registration area. Moreover, for the public’s best of service the organization provides the possibility of receiving the participation kit 24 hours before the start of each race as the registration area will be open on Friday, September 4, from 17.00 in the morning until 20:00 in the evening and on Saturday, September 5, from 10.00 in the morning until 20:00 in the evening, at Pefki beach. Participants are kindly requested to arrive at the registration area at least 45 minutes before their race’s start, in order to receive their kit and avoid potential last-minute overcrowding and queues. Swimmers and visitors are advised to wear a protective mask during their stay at the registration area.

The event will also provide participants with the opportunity to watch, update and respond to live chat for the races via Viber, Facebook Messenger and sms during the event, to avoid crowds at the registration area, as defined by the GDPR rules on personal data protection.

 

Among other things, participation kits will include the event’s bag and t-shirt from Luanvi, a swimming cap from Mosconi, towel, tattoo entry number, timing chip and numerous gifts from the event’s sponsors.

All athletes will receive a medal at the finish. Due to the current health conditions no award ceremony will be held.

Easy access & affordable accommodation packages at the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos

The Authentic Marathon Swim already collaborates with more than 30 hotels in the region, with the aim of revitalizing the sports tourism industry of Northern Evia and strengthening the Greek tourism product. Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously supported with special offers and prices starting from 40 euros, by the following hospitality sponsors: Maria Louiza Apartments, Hydna Studios, Hotel 40 Platania, Altamar Hotel, Ellaeon Throesma, Artemision Hotel, Galini Hotel Edipsos, Ilios Studios, Villa Anastasia, Κochili Apartments, Mirtia Hotel, Island, Irene Studios, Aidipsos Hotel, Aktaion Hotel, Aenaon Studios, Alex Spa Hotel, Anesis Pefki, Athina Studios, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Arethousa Hotel, Avli Hotel, Dimitra Apartments, Ermis Spa Hotel, Evia Dream, Galini Hotel Pefki, Kallithea Hotel, Katerina Apartments, Konstantinos Hotel, Lito Hotel, Mitho Hotel, Jenny Studios, Papadioti Αpartments, Rodon Hotel, Drosia Studios, Garden Studios Pefki.  

Participants and visitors can take advantage of the special offers, providing reduced accommodation prices and late check out while discovering beautiful hotels in the areas of Pefki, Loutra Edipsos, Artemision, Istiaia, Kanatadika, Neos Pyrgos, Orei and Agiokampos.

Check the event’s specially designed page and discover the accommodation packages and special offers which are valid for the participants: https://www.authenticmarathonswim.com/accommodation/

Ferries itineraries

For the best access to Pefki Evia, you may find the ferry itineraries for the routes Edipsos – Arkitsa and Agiokampos – Glyfa here: www.authenticmarathonswim.com/location

The Authentic Marathon Swim is held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and it is listed in the “Thermopylae-Salamis 2020” Anniversary framework. The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos while Active Media Group is responsible for its sports production.

The Authentic Marathon Swim has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 programme of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

The event has joined the swimming community Global Swim Series (GSS).

The leading company in the field of aquaculture in Greece, Philosofish, the official sponsor of The Authentic Marathon Swim, produces superior quality sea bream, sea bass, porgy and sharpsnout sea bream. With respect to the environment, it applies new techniques and is oriented towards production technologies that utilize the competitive advantage of Greek waters and coasts for the production of high-quality fish. The company’s mission is to develop and promote a rich and balanced diet based on fish. Its vision is to become one of the most significant companies in the industry in the European and international market, always contributing to the effort for production based on the sustainable future of the aquatic environment.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the event’s Official Water.

Luanvi is the Official Clothing Partner.

Mosconi is the Official Sports Supplier.

Avance is the event’s Official Car Rental Partner.

Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner and Target Security the Security Partner.

The event’s Partners include Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece, Syconia, Almanda, Dirfis Mushrooms, Fysiotek Sports Lab.

Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Leandros, Swimmingclub.gr, LA Elite Fitness, APS TRIAS, Kallithea Open Water Team are The Authentic Marathon Swim’s Athletic Partners.

Swimbikerun.gr is the Media Partner.

The event is assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, Meliriton, To Kochili.

Hashtag: #authenticmarathonswim

Website: www.authenticmarathonswim.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticMarathonSwim

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/authenticmarathonswim

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

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxMgl-j5wgosL10lyRay5Q