1st 53 km RACE – VLACHERNA TO KALAVRYTA
10/30/2026
1st 53 km RACE – VLACHERNA TO KALAVRYTA
"1943... Keeping the Memory Alive..."
The Municipality of Kalavryta
The Local Community of Vlacherna, Municipality of Tripoli
And the Long-Distance Race Association
"THE IMMORTALS"
With a sense of HONOUR, REMEMBRANCE & EMOTION
Announce the
1st 53 km RACE FROM VLACHERNA TO KALAVRYTA
"1943... Keeping the Memory Alive..."
Note: This is an entirely new race and must under no circumstances be confused with the older 10 km race organised by ASAED and the Municipality of Kalavryta, "Kalavryta Holocaust Road Race".
Race Date: Saturday, 05/12/2026
Race Start Time: 10:30 a.m.
Starting Point: The Martyr Community of Vlacherna*, Municipality of Tripoli, Arcadia (VILLAGE CENTRAL SQUARE), on Provincial Road 111, Tripoli–Olympia, near the Arkadiki Gefsi restaurant.
Finish Line: Kalavryta, at the Execution Site of the People of Kalavryta – Kapis Hill (also known as Rachi tou Kapi), located east of the town of Kalavryta (approximately 500 metres from the centre), on the road towards the Ski Centre. The finish line will be located precisely INSIDE this historic site!
ON 13/12/1943, at this very location, the Nazi occupation forces executed more than 400 of our fellow countrymen, marking the largest Holocaust in our country during the "dark shadow" of the occupation by the Axis powers in the Second World War.
Race Distance: 53 km
Race Elevation Gain: +600 metres
Race Time Limit: 8 hours – until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, 05/12/2026.
THE SPIRIT AND SYMBOLISM OF THE RACE
This race represents an effort we have been making for years to establish an ultradistance race worthy of the sacrifice of our fellow countrymen in 1943 at the hands of the Nazi occupation forces. In retaliation, during December 1943, more than 600 of our fellow countrymen were executed in Kalavryta and the surrounding areas!
On the other hand, the selection of the Community of Vlacherna in Arcadia as the starting point of the race was not accidental. By Presidential Decree, Vlacherna has been officially recognised as a Martyr Village, since in July 1944 the Nazi occupation forces completely burned the village and killed a small number of civilians, as most residents managed to escape into the nearby mountains!
This race, therefore, is a race of Remembrance, Honour and profound Emotion, dedicated to our fellow countrymen and to these places that suffered Nazi atrocities during the Occupation!
The race is being organised with the agreement of the Municipality of Kalavryta, and the intention is for it to ALWAYS take place on Saturday – in other words, one day before the long-established Kalavryta Holocaust race, which is always held on a Sunday in early December!
Thus, in the coming years, beginning with 2026, two Back-to-Back races will take place on one of the first weekends of December, dedicated to the Memory of the Kalavryta Holocaust – the established 10 km race and the new 53 km ultradistance race!
BASIC ROUTE INFORMATION
The race will start on Saturday morning, 05/12, at 10:30 a.m., from the Central Square of the Community of Vlacherna, Municipality of Tripoli, Arcadia!
THE ENTIRE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ON ASPHALT ROADS, AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE ROUTE INCLUDE DIRT ROADS OR TRAILS!
After the start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, runners will enter National Road 111 heading towards Vytina!
Approximately one and a half kilometres after Vlacherna, they will turn right towards Panagitsa – Kleitoria – Mazeika – Cave of the Lakes – Kalavryta.
The exact route you will follow is:
Vlacherna
Panagitsa, Arcadia (7th km)
Steno Pagratiou (14th km)
Klima Pausania (20th km)
Kleitoria (28th km)
Kastria (36th km)
Kato Lousoi (46th km)
Kalavryta – Kapis Hill (53rd km)
The finish line, also for its symbolic significance, will be located precisely INSIDE the execution site of the people of Kalavryta – on Kapis Hill – 500 metres above the martyr town of Kalavryta!
The race route will be marked in red, symbolising the red colour of the blood so abundantly shed during the atrocities committed by the Nazi forces. Distance markers will also be placed every 5 km!
AID STATIONS – STATION TIME LIMITS
There will be 8 aid stations along the race route!
Wherever a station time limit is indicated, it also represents the cut-off time (the time by which you must have arrived at that station).
The stations will be as follows:
1st Station: PANAGITSA – 7th km. (Water) – Not a cut-off point.
2nd Station: STENO PAGRATIOU – 14th km. (Water, COCA COLA) – You must arrive within 1 hour and 45 minutes, by 12:15 p.m.
3rd Station: KLIMA PAUSANIA – 20th km. (Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, sweets, savoury snacks) – Not a cut-off point.
4th Station: KLEITORIA – Central Square – 28th km. (Main race aid station – a timing mat will be installed). Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, sweets, savoury snacks, boiled potatoes. You must arrive within 4 hours, by 2:30 p.m.
5th Station: KASTRIA – 36th km. (Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, sweets, savoury snacks) – Not a cut-off point.
6th Station: KATO LOUSOI – 42nd km. (Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, sweets, savoury snacks) – You must arrive within 6 hours, by 4:30 p.m.
7th Station: Ski Centre Exit – 46th km. (Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, sweets, savoury snacks) – Not a cut-off point.
8th Station: 50th km. (Water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks) – Not a cut-off point.
FINISH LINE: YOU MUST ARRIVE WITHIN THE 8-HOUR TIME LIMIT – BY 6:30 P.M. ON SATURDAY, 05/12/2026.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
No special participation requirements are necessary.
Anyone who believes they are capable of completing a 53 km race of this kind may participate, provided they have reached the age of 18 and are in good health.
RACE AWARDS
All runners who finish WITHIN THE 8-HOUR TIME LIMIT will receive a medal worthy of the symbolic significance of the race!
Awards will be presented to the first 6 male finishers and the first 3 female finishers.
THE FIRST MALE AND FIRST FEMALE FINISHERS will also receive a medal featuring the image of the Teacher of Ultradistance Running in our country – the late Panagiotis Skoulis!
SOUVENIRS
All participants will receive commemorative items related to the race before the start, during race registration, including a dry-fit T-shirt worthy of the significance of the event.
ATHLETE SUPPORT CREWS
You may have a support crew member accompanying you along the race route!
You must declare your support crew member at the race secretariat when collecting your race number!
The vehicle of every athlete's support crew member MUST display, in a clearly visible location, the special document provided by the organisers at the race start, indicating the BIB number of the athlete being supported!
We kindly ask all support crew members to fully comply with the following instructions:
1) You may go to any aid station along the race route, BUT YOU MAY PARK ONLY AT THESE STATIONS!
Parking anywhere else along the route is strictly prohibited!
EVEN IF YOU NEED TO STOP FOR PERSONAL NECESSITIES, YOU MUST CONTINUE TO THE NEXT AID STATION OR LEAVE THE RACE ROUTE AND USE A SIDE ROAD!
WE KINDLY ASK YOU TO RESPECT THIS RULE!
The first violation will result in a warning. Upon a second violation, we will be forced to stop the runner you are supporting from continuing the race, which would be a shame!
2) IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED to drive alongside your runner or give them anything outside an aid station!
The first violation will result in a warning. Upon a second violation, we will be forced to stop the runner you are supporting from continuing the race, which would be a shame!
3) If your runner needs something, for example an item of clothing, you may leave it at the next aid station for them to collect!
4) IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED FOR A RUNNER TO ENTER OR EXIT YOUR VEHICLE ANYWHERE ALONG THE RACE ROUTE!
IF SUCH AN INCIDENT IS OBSERVED, THE RUNNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED FROM THE RACE AND PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM ALL FUTURE EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE IMMORTALS!
5) You may allow your runner to sit inside your vehicle for a short period ONLY AT AN AID STATION, AND OF COURSE THE VEHICLE MUST NOT BE MOVING!
6) You are prohibited from running alongside your runner on the race route!
You may ONLY WALK BESIDE THEM for approximately 100 metres after each aid station, if you wish.
7) Support crew members are prohibited from consuming food and drinks provided at the aid stations!
The supplies at these stations are strictly reserved for race participants, UNLESS THE STATION STAFF OFFER YOU SOMETHING!
THERE ARE PLENTY OF SHOPS IN MANY VILLAGES AND ALSO IN SPARTA, WHICH YOU WILL REACH FAIRLY QUICKLY, WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE ITEMS FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE.
8) If you experience any problem along the route, or IF YOU SEE A RUNNER OR SUPPORT CREW MEMBER VIOLATING THE RULES, WE KINDLY ASK YOU TO CALL US IMMEDIATELY AT:
6955985506 / 6936853165 (PAVLOS GORANITIS)
9) If your runner withdraws from the race along the route, please notify us using the telephone numbers above!
Afterwards, you may transport the runner wherever you consider appropriate.
There is no participation fee for support crew members!
DROP BAGS
You may leave drop bags for the following aid stations:
3rd STATION – 20th km
4th STATION – 28th km
6th STATION – 42nd km
7th STATION – 46th km
You may leave your drop bags in the specially prepared bags that will be available during the operation of the race secretariat on Saturday, 05/12, the day of the race!
Any belongings you wish to leave at the stations will be returned after the race by the organisers' sweep vehicle!
We will provide all the necessary materials so that you can place your belongings in the designated bags that will be transported to the corresponding aid stations!
RACE NUMBER
Your race number (BIB NUMBER) will be a true keepsake, as it will bear the approximately 600 names of the recorded victims in Kalavryta and the surrounding areas during the Nazi atrocities of December 1943.
It is a race number that you may wish to preserve for the rest of your life!
ATHLETE TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will be available for athletes to and from Athens, BOTH on race day AND on the following day, Sunday 06/12, for anyone who wishes to stay overnight on Saturday 05/12 after the race and return the following day, PROVIDED THEY ALSO WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 10 km KALAVRYTA HOLOCAUST RACE, which will take place on Sunday 06/12!
More specifically, the following transportation options will be available:
1) SAME-DAY TRANSPORTATION FROM ATHENS
For anyone wishing to travel by coach from Athens and return on the same day, the coach will depart from Karaiskaki Square (Metaxourgeio), outside the STANLEY Hotel, at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday 05/12!
The coach will take you to the starting point of the race in Vlacherna.
It will depart from Kalavryta, near the finish area, at 7:00 p.m., after the race has ended!
The cost of the race and transportation is €70.00.
You must select the corresponding option on the registration form.
For your coach reservation to be considered valid, you must pay the above amount no later than Thursday 03/12/2026.
2) RETURN TRANSPORTATION TO VLACHERNA
For anyone wishing to leave their vehicle in Vlacherna and return there by the organisers' coach after the race, this option is available!
The return is scheduled for after 7:00 p.m. on Saturday 05/12.
There is no additional transportation charge beyond the race participation fee of €55.00!
If you wish to return by the race coach to the starting area in order to collect your vehicle, please send us an email at:
3) TRANSPORTATION FROM ATHENS ON SATURDAY AND RETURN ON SUNDAY
For anyone wishing to travel by the organisers' coach on race day and return the following Sunday, in order to ALSO participate in the 10 km Kalavryta Holocaust Memorial Race, this option is available!
The departure from Athens will be the same as described in Option 1 above!
The return to Athens will take place the following day, Sunday 06/12, with the SAFANS coach, approximately after 4:00 p.m., once the association has completed the wreath-laying ceremony at the execution site!
Sunday's race is free of charge, and you will be able to register before its start. Usually, the race starts at 11:00 a.m.!
The cost of the race and transportation is €70.00.
You must select the corresponding option on the registration form.
For your coach reservation to be considered valid, you must pay the above amount no later than Thursday 03/12/2026.
If you wish to return by coach on Sunday, as described above, please send us an email at:
ATTENTION:
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN BOTH RACES – IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU CHOOSE THE THIRD OPTION – YOU MUST ARRANGE YOUR OWN ACCOMMODATION IN KALAVRYTA!
WE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ROOM RESERVATIONS, NOR DO WE RECOMMEND WHERE YOU SHOULD STAY. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU MUST ARRANGE YOURSELVES!
Of course, you will be able to leave your personal belongings on the organisers' coach at the finish area, and you will find them there when you successfully complete the 53 km race!
Beyond that, you must make your own arrangements for the rest of your schedule and, naturally, your accommodation for the remainder of Saturday and for Sunday!
We will certainly ensure that you are informed about all the details of your return on Sunday 06/12, after all the events associated with Sunday's race have been completed!
THE OFFICIAL RACE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SUNDAY'S EVENT will be published in the coming days by the organisers of that race. You should stay informed through running websites!
ATTENTION:
ON RACE DAY, THE ORGANISERS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY TRANSPORTATION FROM KALAVRYTA TO VLACHERNA BEFORE THE RACE!
Therefore, you will not be able to leave your vehicle at the finish area and travel to the starting point using transportation provided by us!
REGISTRATION
To register for the 53 km race "1943... Keeping the Memory Alive...", please click on the following link:
https://register.chronolog.gr/r/adcc183e4d9fe0512a3d426cab6a9080?l=EL
Registration will close on Wednesday 02/12/2026 at 12:00 noon.
The participation fee must be paid no later than Thursday 03/12/2026.
PARTICIPATION FEE
The cost for anyone wishing to participate in the race "1943... Keeping the Memory Alive..." is €55.00.
If transportation by the organisers' coach is required, as mentioned above, the total cost is €70.00.
You are required to deposit the corresponding amount no later than Thursday 03/12/2026 for your participation to be considered valid.
(BANK TRANSFER FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPOSITOR. THEREFORE, WHEN MAKING YOUR BANK TRANSFER, PLEASE CHECK WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BANK CHARGES AND SELECT YOURSELF IN THE APPROPRIATE FIELD.)
PIRAEUS BANK Account Number: 50 7306 3798 547
IBAN: GR 0801 7207 3000 5073 0637 98 547
Account Holder: PAVLOS GORANITIS
Please make sure that your name is included in the bank deposit details.
Alternatively, you may pay the corresponding amount at the OLYMPUS Sports Awards Store, located at:
124 Alexandrou Papanastasiou Avenue, PIRAEUS
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., every day except Saturday and Sunday.
Telephone: 215 5408840
By simply including your name on the deposit receipt, you will enable us to verify your payment.
Anyone who has not paid their participation fee by the specified deadline will have their registration considered invalid and will not be allowed to participate in the race.
Payments on race day will not be accepted.
RACE AWARD CEREMONY
Upon finishing, you will be able to receive your medal!
Shortly after the first 6 male winners and the first 3 female winners have finished, we will hold the corresponding award ceremonies.
RACE SECRETARIAT
The race secretariat will operate inside the "ARKADIKI GEFSI" restaurant, near the starting area in the Central Square of Vlacherna, on the following dates and times:
Friday 04/12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 05/12, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
ACCOMMODATION
The organisers are not involved in arranging your accommodation, either before or after the race!
If you wish to stay near the starting point in Vlacherna or in neighbouring villages, you should consult the relevant online hotel or tourist accommodation booking platforms!
However, we are aware that Airbnb-type accommodation is available in the Community of Vlacherna, where the race will start!
Similarly, you may consult the relevant accommodation booking websites for your stay in Kalavryta AFTER completing your race!
FOR OUR PART, WE CERTAINLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU STAY IN TOURIST ACCOMMODATION IN THE AREA BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE RACE, IN ORDER TO ENJOY A MORE COMFORTABLE AND RELAXING STAY AND HAVE A VERY BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND OR EVEN A THREE-DAY BREAK!
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any questions or further information, please do not hesitate to contact the race organiser and technical director, Mr Pavlos Goranitis, at:
Telephone: 6936853165 / 6955985506
Email: lakoniaultrarunning@gmail.com
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING ALL OF YOU TO THIS NEW RUNNING ENDEAVOUR OF OURS... SO THAT WE CAN KEEP... THE MEMORY... ALIVE!
NEVER AGAIN!
Vlacherna, Arcadia (formerly known as Bezenikos), is a traditional mountain settlement built on the slopes of Mount Mainalo at an altitude of 954 metres. It was officially recognised as a Martyr Village by Presidential Decree in 2005 because of the terrible reprisals and destruction it suffered at the hands of the German occupation forces during the Second World War. On 19/07/1944, German occupation forces entered Vlacherna, executing civilians and setting houses on fire. The Nazi atrocity left behind dead civilians, burned homes and the complete destruction of the village's infrastructure.
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