M O U N TA I N R U N N I N G
A MOUNTAIN RACE with a sea view
T
he Spetses Mini Marathon on the island of Spetses attracts a lot of people in October, gaining more and more of a cosmopolitan character. Its neighboring island, Hydra, the sophisticated small island of artists, hosted mountain racing with a sea view for the first time in 2014, with more than 500 Greek and foreign participations. Hydra is the most cosmopolitan island of the Argosaronic gulf, with an area of 52 square kilometers and a beautiful port with old mansions, museums, canons and battlements. There are no cars here, not even bikes, and visitors, mainly Americans and French, painters, rock stars, jet-setters seeking quiet, mount donkeys or sea taxis in search of the few but virgin beaches and the abandoned villages of the north.
COOL HOTELS & VILLAS
M O U N TA I N R U N N I N G
Hydra’s Trail Event is taking place for the second time this year with a clearly more international character. The athletes enjoy the combination of mountain and sea while running along footpaths and cobbled roads, while at the same time they discover the hospitality of the locals who cheer them on as they go past their windows. The athletes can run between one and three races, each with a different route. On Saturday, 4 April 2015 there are three races: 1. One original downhill, starting at the historical Monastery of Profitis Ilias at an altitude of 500 m and ending at the Hydra port (zero altitude). One athlete starts every 30 seconds, and they are invited to show their skills on descending footpaths. COOL HOTELS & VILLAS
M O U N TA I N R U N N I N G
2. Run and fun, a 5 km urban race, where the contestants get to know the alleys of Hydra while running. 3. The day closes with the Junior’s mini race for kids, a distance of 1.3 km in the port. The route is flat (+10 m) and 90% visible from the starting and termination point. The events continue until late with happenings. On Sunday, 5 April 2015, 2 there are 2 mountain races with a common starting point: 1. The Rock Race, over a distance of 10 km along footpaths and cobbled roads, is a miniature of the grand race and it is for new runners. 2. In contrast, the Grand Eros Mountain Trail race of COOL HOTELS & VILLAS
M O U N TA I N R U N N I N G
25.6 km has been designed for fanatics of mountain running at high altitudes and technically difficult footpaths. The route goes over Eros, the highest peak on the island (588 m,), offering a panoramic view of the island and the Argosaronic gulf. It is a special route on an international level as rarely do runners have the chance to run along mountainous footpaths with a view over the infinite blue. Where: Hydra, Argosaronic Gulf When: 4 & 5 April COOL HOTELS & VILLAS