23rd Minoan Race – Sunday, December 7, 2025 – Announcement
7/29/2025
The Marathon Runners Club of Crete is organizing on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the 23rd Minoan Race, 70km, on the route Phaistos – Knossos, which connects the two Minoan palaces. At the same time, a 140km cycling event will take place on the route Knossos – Phaistos – Knossos (non-competitive).
A historic route that takes us back thousands of years, such distances were only run by athlete-messengers carrying important news and events. Messengers in Knossos included Ergoteles and Sotades, who were crowned Olympic champions.
The race is held under the auspices of the Hellenic Federation of Mass Popular Sports & Ultramarathon (EOSLMA-Y) and is supported by the Municipalities of Phaistos – Gortyna – Heraklion with the support of the rescue team FILIOS ZEUS and the Samaritan Department of Mesara.
DATE OF EVENT: Sunday, December 7, 2025
EVENT START TIME:
07:30 Athletes meet at the archaeological site of Phaistos
08:00 Start of the Minoan Race 70km from the Archaeological Site of Phaistos
TIME LIMIT FOR MINOAN RACE: 9 hours, with a cutoff time at the marathon point of 6 hours
PASTA PARTY: On the eve of the race, Saturday 6/12 at 18:00, there will be a pasta party at a venue in the center of Heraklion, with free participation.
AWARDS: The top three men and women will receive a cup and medal. All finishers (runners and cyclists) will receive a commemorative medal.
ATHLETES' DEPARTURE TO PHAISTOS: The athletes’ departure to Phaistos will take place on Sunday morning at 06:00, free of charge, by bus from the 18 Anglon Square (100 meters from Kronos Hotel), at the entrance of Koules Fortress.
AWARDS CEREMONY TIME: 13:30 at the palace of Knossos.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR 70km RACE:
Aid stations for the 70km Minoan Race:
7km – Moires
16km – Archaeological Site of Gortyna
21km – (First athlete check)
26km – Intersection towards Moulia
32km – Agia Varvara – Intersection towards Agios Thomas
42km – (Marathon check) area of Sivas
50km – Intersection towards Dafnes
54km – Intersection towards Athanatoi – Giofyros – Chaniaporta (Heraklion National Stadium) – Oasis – Bentevi
Participation is not allowed for athletes under 18 years of age.
Participation in the Minoan Race and cycling event is open, provided that Minoan Race participants have completed at least one marathon or ultramarathon.
All participants must have undergone a recent medical examination, which is declared upon registration.
RELAY RACE FOR THE FIRST TIME:
This year, for the first time, there will be a relay option for the 70km race. Three athletes will share the 70km distance. The first athlete runs from Phaistos to Panagia Almyra station (21.150km), the second from 21.150km to the Marathon point (Venetato area), and the third from the Marathon point to the finish line.
(Athletes participating in the relay must reach their hand-off points with their own means of transportation, except for the start, where transportation will be provided.)
Athletes participate at their own risk.
Athletes who have or want to have a companion along the route must declare it to the organizing committee in time.
REGISTRATION FORM LINK:
https://racetime.gr/registrations/registration.php?eventId=104
CYCLING EVENT – 140km INFORMATION:
MEETING TIME: 06:45 at Knossos (archaeological site)
START TIME: 07:00 outside the archaeological site of Knossos
TIME LIMIT: None
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CYCLING:
Cyclists must be over 18 years old.
Their bicycle must have passed a recent technical check.
They must carry a spare tube, a pump, windbreaker, and helmet (mandatory).
ROUTE – 140km:
Start from Knossos – Knossou Ave. – Dimokratias – Dikaiosynis – Kalokerinou – 62 Martyrs (Heraklion) – Moires – Archaeological site of Phaistos – return – ring road Moires – Heraklion – exit from Agia Varvara towards Heraklion turn right to Agios Thomas – Avgeniki – Venerato – Dafnes – return to Moires – Heraklion ring road – Giofyros – 62 Martyrs – Chaniaporta – Plastira – Oasis – Knossou Ave. – Finish at Knossos
NOTE: Vehicle traffic will not be stopped, and cyclists must observe the traffic code for their own safety.
From Giofyros to Knossos, cyclists must be especially careful.
Cyclists not following these rules will be disqualified by the organizing committee.
AID STATIONS FOR 140km CYCLING EVENT:
A support car will accompany cyclists from Knossos with water, isotonic drinks, sweets, and raisins.
At Phaistos, there will be a supply station with water, bars, juices, soft drinks, isotonic drinks, and food.
On the return route: Moires – Archaeological Site of Gortyna – Almyra – 26km intersection towards Moulia – Agia Varvara – intersection towards Agios Thomas – Venerato – Dafnes – intersection towards Athanatoi – Giofyros – Chaniaporta (Heraklion National Stadium) – Oasis – Bentevi
Cyclists participate at their own risk.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Below is the route map of the 23rd Minoan Race. Cyclists complete this route back and forth – 140km.
PHAISTOS – KNOSSOS MINOAN RACE on plotaroute.com
INFORMATION – REGISTRATION – PHONES:
You can register online at marathoncreta.com or on Facebook at Cretan Marathon Íkaros, where a registration form is available.
Phones: +30 6955547666, +30 2810344774 – Spyros Kampaxis, event coordinator
FERRY DISCOUNT
For athlete & companion transportation from Piraeus to Heraklion with Minoan Lines & ANEK BLUE STARS: 40% discount.
Contact: Spyros Kampaxis – Office: +30 2810344774, Mobile: +30 6955547666
AWARDS – GIFTS FOR ATHLETES & CYCLISTS:
Upon receiving their race number, every athlete & cyclist will receive commemorative items and a technical T-shirt.
At the finish line, they will also receive their participation medal.
Pickup of commemorative items:
Saturday, December 6 at Loggia (Heraklion City Hall – Lions Fountain) from 10:00–14:00.
Athletes who wish to submit isotonic drinks, etc., for the race may give them to Mr. Spyros Kampaxis.
They may also register a companion for support during the race.
PARTICIPATION FEES:
70km: €50
Relay: €20 per athlete
Cycling event: €25
Partial route of the 70km: €10
Payment must be made to complete registration via Revolut account: LT42 3250 0578 5060 6186
The above prices are valid until November 2.
From November 2 to November 23: Cycling: €30 – Running: €60 – Relay: €75
[REGISTRATION FOR THE 70 & 140 KM RACES CLOSES ON NOVEMBER 23]
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