Santorini Experience Returned Better Than Ever

 

The event was completed with participations from 35 countries

 

Santorini, October 10, 2024 – The unique Cycladic architecture, the intoxicating atmosphere where the blue of the Aegean Sea meets the reddish cliffs and the whitewashed houses, the picturesque Caldera villages, the excellent food and wine, the luxury and the unforgettable sunsets all combined in harmony with Santorini’s volcanic character and perfect weather providing the ideal conditions for sports tourism on the island.

 

From October 3 to 6, Santorini hosted professional and amateur athletes from 35 countries for the 7^th Santorini Experience, offering a thrilling experience to participants from countries such as USA, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Italy, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Serbia, Croatia, and Greece among others.

 

The unsurpassed beauty spots of the island such as the Volcano and the path that connects Oia to Fira with the impressive Caldera and the exceptional view of the Aegean were the reference points of this year’s event.

 

Swimming of “Stars” from the Volcano!

On Friday, October 4, participants swam from the Volcano to the old port of Fira in an exciting 1.5-miles (2.4 km) open water swimming race, overlooking the imposing view of Santorini. The global elite of open water swimming who competed in Paris Olympic Games joined the unique race. Italian world champion and European champion Barbara Pozzobon, Hungarian silver medalist in world and European championships and 4th Olympian Anna Olasz, German world and European champion Leonie Beck, European champion Mario Sanzullo from Italy, and Greek champion Dimitris Negris were among the participants. The Italian coach Fabrizio Antonelli with distinctions in the Olympic Games and world championships was also present. The first place among the men was shared by Dimitris Negris and Mario Sanzullo while among the women Barbara Pozzobon finished first.

The swimming route took place with absolute safety in the enchanting waters of Santorini (with an average water temperature of 22-23 degrees Celsius), supported by the Santorini Boatmen’s Union, who assisted both in the implementation of the race and in the safe transport of swimmers from the old port of Fira to the Volcano. The safety of the race was ensured by specialized professional lifeguards and rescue boats from Lifeguard Patrol, who also provided the necessary medical and pharmaceutical equipment. Santorini Nautical Club, the Volunteer Rescue Team of Thira, and Caldera Yachting also supported the event with boats and personnel, while the organization, with the help of SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, provided every athlete with a safety buoy, which was mandatory for all participants, offering additional safety. The Technical Director of the swimming race was Nikos Gemelos, a swimming coach with Olympic and world-class distinctions.

 

Running on the Caldera with a Breathtaking View

This year, the event returned to the three familiar and beloved trail-running routes along the Caldera, on the path connecting Oia to Fira. On the morning of Saturday, October 5th, participants enjoyed spectacular routes, suitable for all, with the magical view of the volcano. The races kicked off in the morning with the 15km route powered by HOKA and the 10km route powered by SIXT, member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, followed by the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” race powered by Miele. All the routes started from the desalination plant in Oia, included dirt track points, and finished back in Oia.

In the men’s category, Alexandros Karykas, an athlete for HOKA, emerged as the winner of the 15km race, while Polish runner Patryk Sobczyk dominated both the 10km and 5km races. In the women’s category, Katerina Radi won the 15km race, Maria Bebi the 10km, and German runner Lina Haase the 5km.

The running routes featured four refreshment stations, with one of them located at the Nobu Hotel Santorini, which warmly welcomed the Asian runners.

 

Here are all the results for the running and swimming races: https://santorini-experience.com/en/results-2024/

 

As part of the Santorini Experience 2024, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, stated: “It is a pleasure for me, as Santorini Experience began during a previous term when I was Mayor. It continues now, and this is the 7th time. It’s an excellent and unique route globally. The organization is flawless, and it will continue throughout the five years of my term as Mayor. Our goal is to organize similar sporting events and, of course, to extend our tourist season. Santorini offers a natural uniqueness. Our island has many points of interest, starting with its geophysical environment and natural beauty. It is important to host sporting events and attract top athletes to enjoy the wonders of our island. Santorini Experience is a unique event for everyone. We will continue organizing sports events and do everything possible to make sports flourish on the island”.

 

 

 

Side Activities for the Children of Santorini

The Municipality of Thira, in an effort to introduce young people to sports and promote healthy athletic role models, enriched this year’s schedule with many side activities.

 

Taekwondo Lessons with Michalis Mouroutsos

On Saturday, October 5th, Olympic gold medalist Michalis Mouroutsos held taekwondo lessons for children. He also conducted a seminar for the competitive taekwondo clubs: AS Leontes Santorini, AS Panthiras, and AS Olympic Academy Santorini. The event took place at the Santorini Indoor Gym. A brief speech was given by Dora Tsampazi, journalist and wife of the late two-time Olympic silver medalist in taekwondo, Alexandros Nikolaidis.

 

Printezis & Arlauckas with the Children of Santorini

For the first time, two sports legends, EuroLeague two-time champion and record holder Georgios Printezis and EuroLeague legend and Real Madrid European champion Joe Arlauckas, joined forces to teach the basics of basketball to the youth of Santorini. On Sunday, October 6th, the children of Santorini’s sports clubs, with the active participation of the Athletic Union of Santorini, had the opportunity to meet these international basketball stars and learn the “secrets” of the game at the basketball clinic powered by Trace ‘n Chase, also held at the Santorini Indoor Gym.

 

Kids Running with European Champion Periklis Iakovakis

As part of the side activities of Santorini Experience, a Kids Running event was held with Olympian and European champion in the 400m hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis. The children’s run took place on Sunday, October 6th at the Municipal Stadium of Thira (Panthiraikos Stadium), with the enthusiastic participation of the AS Hephaestus Thira sports club and children from the Municipality of Thira.

Speeches on Diversity with Dimitris Papanikolaou powered by MOTODYNAMICS

For the first time, speeches on diversity were organized with Dimitris Papanikolaou, a former international basketball player, European champion, and ambassador of the MOTODYNAMICS Group. These talks were held for students of Fira High School, Mesaria High School, the Special School of Mesaria, Emporio High School, and Fira Lyceum. Through these sessions, Papanikolaou aimed to inspire and educate young students on the importance of embracing diversity.

Speech by Pavlos Kagialis powered by MOTODYNAMICS Group

As part of this year’s event, on Saturday, October 5, a speech was held by Olympic bronze medalist in sailing Pavlos Kagialis, to the children of Santorini Sailing Club, powered by MOTODYNAMICS Group. Over 40 children attentively listened to their role model as he spoke about his sport, his career journey, and the challenges he faced, and offered valuable life and sports advice.

 

Road Safety speeches powered by MOTODYNAMICS

Additionally, the MOTODYNAMICS Group in collaboration with the Municipality of Thira, organized speeches related to road safety with motorsports coach Thanasis Chountras, for students of Fira Lyceum, Thira Vocational School (EPAL), Fira High School, and Mesaria High School. These informative speeches captivated the students, while many of them expressed enthusiasm about the next visit of the distinguished speaker!

 

Pilates & Yoga Sessions

As part of this year’s Santorini Experience, Pilates lessons were organized by Mandy Persaki at Santo Pure Oia and Santo Mine Oia hotels. Additionally, yoga sessions powered by Messinian Spa were held at Athina Luxury Suites, offering participants a relaxing experience alongside the stunning Santorini scenery.

 

Gastronomy & Sports

The MOTODYNAMICS Group, in collaboration with Miele, combined the worlds of gastronomy and sports by hosting exclusive dining experiences for their distinguished guests. These unique meals took place at top-tier restaurants like Esperisma Bar Restaurant and Selene Restaurant, showcasing Santorini’s local flavors and products in a special and refined way.

 

In addition, exceptional meals were organized at Nobu Hotel Santorini and Seaside Santorini restaurants, along with cocktails at Esperisma Bar Restaurant and Santo Mine Oia.

 

Guests were given tours of the Santo Wines Winery and visited the Miele store in Santorini. As a Bronze Sponsor, Miele offered its guests a unique experience, blending the luxury of its appliances with gourmet cuisine. In this exclusive setting, Chef Alexandros Syngkiridis of Miele provided an unforgettable live cooking experience, using Miele’s state-of-the-art appliances. As guests explored the fully equipped store, they watched the chef in action as he prepared a series of refined dishes, transforming the kitchen into a space of creativity and indulgence.

 

 

Gifts for Participants & Winners of the Races!

For the first time, hoper, the company that introduces scheduled helicopter flights in Greece, became the Official Helicopter Partner of Santorini Experience. As part of this year’s event, the innovative company awarded both male and female winners of the open water swimming race with a helicopter tour, ensuring their safety with its modern fleet. Additionally, guests of Santorini Experience also had the opportunity to enjoy exciting aerial tours over the stunning landscapes of Santorini.

This year, HOKA, one of the top brands in running, joined Santorini Experience for the first time as the Official Footwear Sponsor. As part of their participation, HOKA offered a unique pair of running shoes to both the male and female winners of the 15km race, powered by HOKA. HOKA’s shoes are specially designed for running, utilizing advanced technologies unique for the brand.

 

SportAdore, the exclusive distributor of Luanvi in Greece, a leading company known for its participation in major running events like the Valencia Marathon, provided gift vouchers and top-notch sports equipment to the second and third place finishers in all the races.

 

Kois Optics, a leader in the optics market that emphasizes the history and culture of the island of Syros, as the Official Optics Partner of the event, awarded a pair of sunglasses to the male and female winners of the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” race, powered by Miele, and the 10km race, powered by SIXT, member of MOTODYNAMICS Group.

 

Additionally, the top three male and female winners in both running and swimming events received special gifts from Messinian Spa, a cosmetic line based on Kalamata olive oil and other natural treasures of Greek nature.

 

Free Entry for Santorini Residents

The participation of Santorini residents in both running and swimming events was free of charge, in an effort by the Municipality of Thira to promote exercise and well-being among its inhabitants, while also giving them the opportunity to compete alongside top athletes.

 

Sponsors Supporting the Event

The guests of the event traveled around the island in comfort and safety with the premium fleet of SIXT, the Premium Mobility Partner of Santorini Experience 2024.

 

SKY express, the Official Airline Partner of the event, provided daily flights from Athens to Santorini, making it the ideal travel choice for visitors attending the event.

 

Those who traveled to Santorini for the event by ferry enjoyed the safety and comfort offered by Blue Star Ferries, Greece’s leading passenger shipping company.

 

Participants also benefited from the quality transport services of Santorini’s Best Driver, that organized their transfers around the island.

 

Alafouzos Sport in Fira facilitated the registration of Santorini residents and served as the Official Sports Store, where participants could pick up their participation kits.

 

All participants stayed hydrated with Vikos natural mineral water, while runners and swimmers enjoyed the excellent craft beers of Ftelos Brewery Santorini.

 

Thanks to GoPro, unique moments from the event were captured, including stunning time-lapse photos.

The SAMI TARAZI Pharmacies, located in the areas of Karterados and Megalochori, were there for every athlete and supported Santorini Experience 2024 as a Partner of the event.

 

In the heart of Santorini in Messaria, HealthSpot provided diagnostic tests with the most modern equipment, as well as ambulance services for the swimming and running races.

 

The National Center for Immediate Help (EKAV) team also contributed to the medical coverage of the Santorini Experience, providing a doctor and an ambulance.

 

The Premium Mobility Partner of the event was SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group.

The Silver Sponsor was Athina Luxury Suites.

The Official Action Camera of the event was GoPro.

The Official Footwear Sponsor was HOKA.

The Official Water was Vikos Natural Mineral Water.

Bronze Sponsors of the event were Miele and NOUS Santorini.

The Official Helicopter Partner was hoper.

The Official Airline Partner was SKY express.

The Official Sponsor was Blue Star Ferries.

The Official Sports Store of the event was Alafouzos Sport.

The Official Technical T-shirt was Luanvi.

The Official Optics Partner were Kois Optics.

Partners of the event included Santorini Boatmen Association, Caldera Yachting, Nobu Hotel Santorini, Santorini’s Best Driver, Seaside Santorini, Messinian Spa, Santo Wines, Ftelos Brewery Santorini, Lifeguard Patrol, Agaze Restaurant, SAMI TARAZI Pharmacies, Health Spot, the Volunteer Rescue Corps of Thira, and Trace ‘n Chase.

The Sustainability Partner was π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention.

The Educational Partner of Santorini Experience was the Athens University of Economics and Business.

 

The event could not have taken place without the invaluable support of 36 Hospitality Sponsors, hotels that promoted the island with special prices and provided immense support to the event. The hotels that assisted with Santorini Experience 2024 included: Athina Luxury Suites, NOUS Santorini, Nobu Hotel Santorini, Katikies Garden Santorini, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini (Empiria Group), Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas, Santo Mine Oia Suites, Apeiron Blue, 270 Oia’s View, West East Suites, Lydia’s House, Santorini Folia Bianca, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, De Sol Hotel & Spa, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Neoklassiko Koukouli, Noni Studios, Santoriviera House, Ifestau4, En Plo Boutique Suites, Mon Signor, Fanouris Condo, MONOLiTHIA, Epavlis Hotel (Meraki Collection), Eteoro Suites Santorini, Sea Breeze Beach Resort Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Aja Retreat, Blue Dolphins, Loizos Stylish Residences, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas, Sienna Eco Resort.

 

Volunteering & Environment

For the first time, Santorini Experience was supported by the dynamic team of Humanity Greece, who assisted and managed the registration department. With consistency, respect, and always adhering to the regulations, the team led by founder Georgia Paraschou served hundreds of participants. Meanwhile, the large team from the Athens University of Economics and Business helped with the swimming and running races, enhancing the spirit of solidarity and encouraging athletes at every point along the course, just as the Volunteer Rescue Corps of Thira did.

 

In addition to supporting this specific section, the event as a minimal token of support, ensured with the help of π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention the cleaning of the running routes and the recycling of packaging during running and swimming activities.

 

Santorini Experience 2024 was co-organized by the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

 

For more information: www.santorini-experience.com

 

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