1st EUN TO FREEDOM MESSOLOGHI NAFPLIO ANNOUNCEMENT APRIL 23-27
1/16/2026
1st Freedom Run
Mesolonghi – Nafplio (South cource)
APRIL 23-27
200 YEARS LATER
ANNOUNCEMENT
We announce the organization of the 1ST FREEDOM RUN from Mesolonghi to Nafplio, 439.2 kilometers long, from April 23 to 27, 2026. The Run has a historical basis and is organized in honor of the defenders of Messolonghi, who instead of surrendering to the Ottomans, who were besieging their city, carried out a Heroic “Exodus” to Freedom by marching towards Nafplio, the capital of rebellious Greece at that time.
The runners will follow the course of the Messolonghi Heroes, who started from Messolonghi on April 10, 1826 and arrived in Nafplio on April 28. The organization has been undertaken by the INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM ACADEMY and the Organizing Committee includes members from 6 historical-local Associations.
The 1st FREEDOM RUN is held under the auspices of Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi as well as the Municipality of Thermo, Municipality of Dorida etc as well as the Regional Governments of Western Greece and Central Greece and also Confederation of All the Cultural Associations of Aitoloakarnania “PANSY” and has the support of all the municipalities and associations through course of the race.
DURATION
duration 99 hrs as it includes sea transport the real athletes limit is 98 HOURS
Start: Old Messolonghi railway engine service point.
Finish: Syntagma square, Nafplion
Starting APRI 23 RD , 2026 at 06:00 a.m.
Last Participant’s finish APRI 27 TH , 2026 at 09:00 a.m.
ROUTE
The road is mainly asfaltpaved, while there are a few sections with well passable dirt roads.
The route will follow the historic course from Messolonghi, Evinochori, Kotsocheri, Paradeisi, Analipsi (Dervekista), Artotiva bridge, Achladokatro, Platanos, Ano Chora, Limnista, Tichio, Dafnochori (Marazia), Glyfada
Sea Transfer to Aigio (1)
Kato Diakopto, Ano Diakopto, Ano Potamia, Tsivlou lake, Evrostini (Zacholi), Gelini. Ano Trikala, Manna, Panareiti, Klimenti, Kaisari, Asprokampos, Nemea, Geompres Nemean raisins and currants, under the bridge of the National Road, Maladreni, Towards Stathaiika, Argos, Nea Kios, Nafplion.
Note (1)
1. Transfer GLYFADA (TRIZONIA)-AEGIO by ship
2. The ship for AEGIO will depart approximately every two (2) hours provided that there will be athletes to be transferred and specifically:
· 24/4, 07:00 a.m.
· 24/4, 09:00 a.m.
· 24/4, 11:00 a.m.
· 24/4, 13:00
· 24/4, 15:00
· 24/4, 17:00
· 24/4, 19:00
· 24/4, 21:00
· 24/4, 23:30 or earlier in case the last participant has arrived earlier.
3. Athletes are required to board the next ship departure immediately upon arrival at the “GLYFADA” check point. Any athlete refusal to board IMMEDIATELY on the next ship will result in a one houre and 30 minutes time add, as penalty on the final result
4. When disembarking in Aegio, the participant passes directly through the Aegio check point.
TIMING
The participant’s performance will be measured by electronic timing, using chip.
The Organizing Committee of the 1st FREEDOM RUN MESOLONGI NAFPLIO has ensured that there will be athletes timing with intermediate check points, as well as control by supervisors along the route, with the aim of the perfect, safe and reliable conduct of the Race.
The results will be obtained by adding the time MESOLONGI-GLYFADA PLUS AEGIO NAFPLIO.
In parallel, there will be control with electronic monitoring via gps device that the athletes will carry. The system will have an imap link and the device that the athletes will carry, will have SOS button. The monitoring link will be announced before the race.
SUPPLY POINTS
There will be 53 supply points offering water, isotonic drinks, and snacks along the route. 10 of them will be Main stations, check points as well as rest points. A detailed report will follow.
At the main stations there will be hot meals for the participants.
Personal supplies (drop bags) can be delivered to the organizers, in order to be placed on specific check points. The participant BIB No, Name Surname and the supply point Number should be clearly stipulated on the package. The organizing committee has the right to check the content of the package, as well as the content of the escort cars.
CAUTION
Escort cars are allowed to offer support to the participant ONLY at the supply points (at a 30m distance from the supply point). Any support in between the supply points may cause
disqualification of the athlete.
CAUTION
Escort cars are allowed to offer support to the participant ONLY at the supply points (at a 30m distance from the supply point). Any support in between the supply points may cause disqualification of the athlete.
TRANSFERS
Luggage will be transported from Mesolonghi to Nafplion
Athletes who withdraw (Quit) from the race
1. They will sign the withdrawal form among with the supply station manager.
2. They will hand over the timing chip.
3. They will hand over the gps device
4. They will be transferred by the sector supervisor to the next check point.
PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS
· RACE CONDITIONS
There are no participation requirements.
· OTHER CONDITIONS
1. Presentation of a medical certificate dated maximum six months prior to the date of the race, confirming the good health of the participant.
2. Payment of participation fee
PARTICIPATION FEE
The Entry fee is 500 EURO.
The above mentioned fee includes:
· Bib Number
· Electronic timing chip
· Commemorative medal for all finishers
· Finisher certificate
· Transfer of participant own supplies to the stipulated supply points.
· Medical services during race
· Luggage transfer to Nafplio
· Transfer of athletes who will fail to finish
· Water, energy drinks, fruits, energy bars, snacks (potato chips, raisin, salty sticks, chocolates, toasted bread, honey etc) provided at 53 supply points
· Hot meal in 10 MAIN STATIONS (Pasta, rice, soup etc)
· Rest facilities in 10 MAIN STATIONS.
· GPS tracking with SOS emergency button.
CAUTION
Hotels are not covered. Escort’s meals and transportation are also not included, as well as meals for athletes beyond menu set by the organizers.
REGISTRATION
Please register up to 23/3/2026 following the link: https://raceid.com/en/races/14601/about
CANCELLATION POLICY
The participants may cancel their participation with refund of money deposited (excluding bank expenses) until 23/2/2026. No cancellation will be refunded after the expiration of this date.
MEDALS-CUPS
A special trophy will be awarded to the first m/f in General category.
Special prizes will be A special trophy will be awarded to the first m/f in General category.
Special prizes will be given to the first three men and the first three women after the m/f in General category.
All athletes who finish will receive commemorative medals and diplomas and t-shirt.
Also, all participating athletes will receive a commemorative medal and t-shirt.
MEDICAL COVERAGE
Throughout the course, there will be medical coverage by doctors, rescuers and ambulances.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS SAFEKEEPING
There will be provision for storage of participant’s personal belongings.
BREAFING
Athlete briefing, receive BIB numbers as well as delivery of drop bags will take place on 22/4/2026 17:00, in Mesolonghi , The specific place is to be announced
CLOSING AND AWARDING CEREMONY
The closing and award ceremony for the first athletes will take place on 27/4/2026 18:00, in Nafplio The specific address is to be announced.
INFORMATION
Site: https://runtofreedom.org/ δρομοιελευθεριας.ελ
We consider this race to be a top event in the field of Ultra Runs, while the heroic exit is tied to the history of Greece. Participation in such a revival and in the history of Greece will be an honor for everyone. From our side, we will make every effort to ensure that it is held under the best conditions and leaves us all with a satisfaction feeling.
The Organizing Committee
Kon. Karkanias Kon. Antonopoulos Giorgos Diamantis
President Secretary Texchnical Advisor
THE MEMBERS
INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM ACADEMY,
K.Karkanias,
BROTHERHOOD OF DESCENDANTS OF FREEDOM BESIEGED
Ioan. Makris,
ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN SOLID GREECE
Athan. Spyropoulos,
BROTHERHOOD OF ACHLADOKASTRITIANS OF NAFPAKTIA “SAINT
NICHOLAS”
Dimitris. Pylarinos,
UNION OF DORIAN SCIENTISTS
Konst. Antonopoulos,
ANALIPSIOTON AETOLIAS ASSOCIATION
Ioannis. Tasiopoulos
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