EUCHIDEIOS ATHLOS 2026

INTERNATIONAL CLUB “EUCHIDIOS ATHLOS – EUCHIDAS”

www.euchidiosathlos.gr

Contact: info@euchidiosathlos.gr

26th EUCHIDIOS ATHLOS – MAY 15-17, 2026

1. AUTHENTIC EUCHIDIOS ULTRA RACE – DELPHI–PLATAEAE–DELPHI – 215 KM

2. CLASSIC EUCHIDIOS ATHLOS – PLATAEAE–DELPHI – 107.5 KM

3. ROAD OF THE 9 MUSES – MELPOMENE – AGIA ANNA–DELPHI – 59 KM

4. 34th TORCH RELAY – LIGHTING OF THE DELPHIC FLAME

26th Euchidios Athlos – An International Sporting Call at the Center of the Earth!

Dear friends, athletes and runners,
The International Club “Euchidios Athlos – Euchidas” is delighted and honored to announce the 26th edition of our historic races, taking place May 15-17, 2026.

These are the races of VICTORY, of LIGHT, of new beginnings, of cleansing, of purification, of duty to the Homeland… All of these make up the meaning of the feat of the soldier, the day-runner, the torch-bearer Euchidas!

A Bit of History

In 479 BC, the united Greek forces under Spartan commander Pausanias fought the final battle in the plain of Plataeae against the Persian invader — a victorious, glorious battle that ended the Persian threat not only to Greece but to Europe as a whole.

Immediately after the battle, the leaders of Plataeae did not rest. They considered the sacred fire of their city’s altar to be defiled by the presence of the barbarians.

They immediately called upon their day-runner, Euchidas! His mission: to run to Delphi, to the sanctuary of Apollo, to bring back pure, undefiled, sanctified fire, so that the city’s altar could be rekindled… a new beginning.

Euchidas set off running, reached Delphi, took the sacred fire, and returned in less than 24 hours, covering about 220 km. He delivered the fire… and died.

The Plataeans buried him in the sanctuary of Artemis Eukleia, engraving on his tomb the epigram:
“Euchidas Pythode threxas elthoe tode autêmeron…”
(In one day Euchidas ran to Delphi and back.)

You are called to run in his footsteps, to honor him, to carry your own light, and to achieve your own victory!

The 26th Euchidios Athlos

This year’s event includes three historic ultra-distance races that cover every type of ultrarunner — from those taking their first steps to the experienced.
215 km – 107.5 km – 59 km – the choice is yours!

We will, as always, try to make the journey you choose as beautiful as possible.
In return, you will gift us with unforgettable moments and unique experiences through your effort.

This year, we dedicate the races to our dear friend, a great marathoner, an excellent poet, but above all a wonderful human being, Dimitris Vellas, who is no longer with us.

In 2002, after a poetry competition we organized for our hymn, he wrote — and naturally won — with the magnificent Hymn of Euchidas! There is no more amazing race hymn. It says everything! Through his hymn, Dimitris will always be with us.

More information and all details regarding the three races will soon be available on our website: www.euchidiosathlos.gr
Once everything is ready, we will inform you with a new announcement.

Registrations will open late October / early November.

“The paths are endless, rugged; the mountains are left behind, the ravines are crossed, the fire with a steady hand crosses the darkness; the moon and stars play in the quiet night…”

Good training, and we look forward to meeting you in May, in Delphi — the center of the earth!

The Organizing Committee

Summary of the Three Races

• AUTHENTIC EUCHIDIOS ULTRA RACE – DELPHI–PLATAEAE–DELPHI – 215 KM
  International Historical Ultra-Distance Race

• 26th CLASSIC EUCHIDIOS ATHLOS – MAY 15-17, 2026 – PLATAEAE–DELPHI – 107.5 KM
  International Historical Ultra-Distance Race

• ROAD OF THE 9 MUSES – MELPOMENE – AGIA ANNA–DELPHI – 59 KM – SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026
  International Historical Ultra-Distance Race