Coming up June 3rd, the International Mountain Race Psiloritis will challenge the world’s mountain racers to run in the footsteps of mighty Zeus. An event envisioned back in 2008 for Mt. Olympus, Race Psiloritis is now an “one of” international runner’s experience.
The 35 kilometer race will cover the trace ancient pilgrims trekked from the sacred Minoan Palace at Knossos to the summit of Mt. Psiloritis (Mt. Ida), where they honored their god, Zeus Cretagenes.
For those sportspersons unfamiliar, legend holds that Zeus was raised on Psiloritis in and around the now famous Ideon Cave. The mountain race is an annual event that offers a unique endurance experience for men and women racers amid the epic landscapes of Crete. For the experienced mountain racer, Crete has no rival for magic landscapes or challenges under foot. The legendary land of the Minoans is epic, and so is the Psiloritis Race.
A group of ravers bunch up along the 35 km course – Psiloritis Race
The main running event will start the morning of June 3rd on the Nida Plateau in Anogia, and wind up at the top of Psiloritis (2,456 meters). There will be six age categories beginning with the 18 – 29 group, and including brackets: 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, and 60 and over. Organizers have rated and designed the race for experienced competitors only. The majority of the trek will be over open ground (16,500 m), followed by 15,500 meters of paths, with runners running only 3,000 meters on asphalt. You’ll find below the general characteristics in table form:
Start Time of the 35K Race: 07.30 am.
Ascent Altitude difference: 1654m
Descent altitude difference: 2342m
Difficulty level: Experienced only
Finishing time limit: 7 hours
A Psiloritis Race hero smiles after being crowned – Courtesy Psiloritis Race
There will also be a 8.5K Race that starts at “Platania Amariou” and winds through olive groves and vineyards to reach the historic center of Amari in Kouroutes Fourfouras. A kids 2k race and many other events are scheduled as well.
The deadline for registration is May 19th, but for more information and detail please call: +30 6978 524 433 Or email: info[@]runningreece.com. Interested racers and spectators may also follow the Race Psiloritis on Facebook here.