Navarino Challenge Crowned ‘Best Tourism Event in Greece’

Unique running routes at Navarino Challenge 2018. Photo by Mike Tsolis

New distinction for top Greek sports tourism event at the Event Awards 2018
New “Beachathlon” races for kids in this year’s program

The award-winning “Navarino Challenge” sports tourism event was recently honored with the gold award as the “Best Tourism Event in Greece” at the Event Awards 2018.

Held in Athens and organized by Boussias Communications, the Events Awards reward excellence in the events, production, marketing and communication industries.

‘Beachathlon’ added to activities for kids

Kids running race at Navarino Challenge 2018. Photo by Mike Tsolis.

The 6th edition of “Navarino Challenge”, to take place October 12-14 in Messinia and Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese, has added new activities for kids to its program. This year’s event includes a “Beachathlon”, namely track and field races for children at The Dunes Beach under the supervision of the Olympic and European Champion in 400m with hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis.

Olympic and European Champion Periklis Iakovakis will join Navarino Challenge 2018. Photo by Babis Gkiritziotis

“Classic sports have three general categories of racing: running, jumps and throws. This year at Navarino Challenge we will become acquainted with some of these races in a slightly different way. We will not conduct them at a stadium, nor at any other sports venue, but on the beautiful beach of Costa Navarino! Taking advantage of the unique facilities of this area we thought about creating a track and field event on the beach. That’s how we decided to create Beachathlon,” Periklis Iakovakis said.

During the “Beachathlon” event, children on the sand will have the opportunity to test their strengths in various track and field sports, adapted to the environment.

“Our goal is to make this acquaintance with the classic sports activities even more entertaining and original and to give the opportunity to children of all ages to discover their abilities at Navarino Challenge Beachathlon,” Iakovakis added.

Useful info

SUP @ Navarino Challenge / photo by Loukas Hapsis

The main activities of the “Navarino Challenge” include running, swimming and Stand Up Paddling (SUP) by BIC® Sport.

Registrations for the the event can be made here, via Viva, by phone at 11876, or through the pre-sale points of the Viva network. The deadline for registrations is August 31.

Swimming @ Navarino Challenge photo by Vangelis Patsialos

The participants of “Navarino Challenge” who will book their accommodation package in The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and choose to take part in the main activities – running, swimming, SUP – will also have the opportunity to enjoy free of charge the full activities program of the event.

The program for those staying at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino includes the activities of tae kwon do, climbing, cycling, pilates, basketball, golf, kick boxing, baby swimming, aqua aerobics, kids’ athletics, beach volley, tennis cross training, crossfit, beach yoga, boxing, survivor games for kids and demonstration race with optimist boats.

More information about the privileged accommodation packages can be found on the website of the event.

“Navarino Challenge” participants will have the opportunity during their stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino to enjoy special discounts from the sponsors and partners of the event. Available offers may be seen here.

“Navarino Challenge” will be held with the co-organization of Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group; the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia; the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation; and under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Samsung is the official technology partner of the event for the second consecutive year.  Once again, the official sponsors of the “Navarino Challenge” are Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” and Ford Motor Hellas. Official supporters are Poseidonia, BIC®, BIC® Sport, Avance and the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of the “Navarino Challenge” 2018.