GNTO Promotes Greece’s Sports Tourism Through Running, Bike Events

Athens Bike Festival 2023. Photo source: Athens Bike Festival

Aiming to position Greece on the map of sports tourism destinations, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) this month is supporting a number of events in Ilia, Chania, Athens and Heraklion.

Running events in Ilia and Chania, a festival for cycling tourism in Athens and a sports robotics competition in Heraklion will take place in April under the auspices of the GNTO.

“These are international events which, apart from their significant athletic footprint, also contribute to the further strengthening of Greece’s reputation as a destination for unique experiences,” the organization said in an announcement.

10th Athens Bike Festival

From April 12 to 14, cycling enthusiasts, those interested in alternative and sustainable transportation, children, athletes, and amateur cyclists will gather in Athens for the 10th Athens Bike Festival.

Bicycles of all kinds will be available for festival visitors to discover and test them in real conditions. Children will also be able to enjoy cycling on a specially designed track and participate in competitions.

On the first day of the festival, a conference exclusively on cycling tourism will be held for the first time in Greece. Political representatives, tourism bodies, and industry are expected to attend.

Olympic Truce Road 2024

The program of the the Olympic Truce Road in Greek.

On Sunday, April 14, the Olympic Truce Road 2024 will take place on a 50-kilometer route.

Some 600 runners from Greece and 15 other countries will cross the ecotourism route “The Truce Trail.” The route will start in Ancient Ilida and pass through 13 villages in Ilia before ending in Ancient Olympia, where the closing ceremony will take place.

As part of the events, the “Road of Cleisthenes” (5 kilometers) will be organized on April 12 in the village of Pisa. The next day, on April 13, the “Hercules Road” (28 kilometers) will take place at Ilida and the “Road of Ifitos” (2 kilometers) route for children and teenagers will take place.

In addition, from May 14 to 17, a conference and art exhibition will be held at the War Museum of Athens, focusing on Olympic values.

8th Crete Marathon

The Crete Marathon routes in Greek.

More than 2,500 athletes from Greece and abroad will run at the Marathon of Crete, which will be held for the eighth year in the city of Chania on April 14.

According to the GNTO, it is the only green marathon in Greece and is part of the official program of sports events of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS).

Three shorter distance races, passing through central points of the city, will also be available for runners: a 10 km route, dedicated to Captain Kostas Iliakis; a 5 km, dedicated to the music composer Mikis Theodorakis; and a 2.5 km, dedicated to to the Olympic Values.

Minoan Robotsports Competition Global Olympiad 2024

From April 26 to 29, the indoor Olympic stadium in Heraklion will host the Minoan Robotsports Competition Global Olympiad 2024.

An international sports robotics competition, the event sees joint teams of young people (from 9 years old) and adults, design, build, and program robot-athletes, participating in sports such as road races, rallies, football, rowing, weightlifting, relay, archery, and shooting.

According to the GNTO, 4,000 competitors from more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America are expected to participate in the event.