1st “Freedom Race”: In the Footsteps of the Exodus Survivors, 200 Years Later – A Conversation with Kostas Karkanias & Giorgos Diamantis
Those of us who have a deeper connection with the Sacred City of Messolonghi are experiencing moments of unique emotion this year, through the numerous events marking the 200th anniversary of the Exodus — an event that rightly stands as one of the defining moments of the Greek Revolution of 1821.
Within this charged framework of remembrance, sport could not be absent. Thus, beyond the established Race of Sacrifice held each year during the Exodus Celebrations, 2026 marks the beginning of a new and particularly symbolic endeavour. From May 28 to June 1, the “Road of Freedom” will be held for the first time — an ultramarathon connecting Messolonghi with Nafplio, the place where a small group of approximately 300 surviving Messolonghians took refuge after the Exodus, under the leadership of Giannakis Razikotsikas and Mitros Deligiorgis.
This is a race of 440 kilometres with +12,285 metres of positive elevation gain, transcending the boundaries of a mere sporting event, as it carries with it a powerful historical and symbolic weight — attempting to highlight, through the gruelling effort of the athletes, the journey and fate of those few who survived the Exodus: an aspect that has not received the recognition it deserves in the historical narrative.
The difficulty of the endeavour will be, as expected, exceptionally great — not only as an athletic challenge, but also as a representation of human endurance in the face of extreme conditions: an indirect yet essential reference to the hardships faced by the Exodus fighters.
For all of the above, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Konstantinos Karkanias, President of the Organising Committee and the International Academy of Freedom, and himself a descendant of Exodus survivors, as well as with Mr. Giorgos Diamantis, the founder and long-time organiser of the Pheidippidean Race, who participates as Technical Advisor to the event.
[Advendure]: The idea of an ultramarathon connecting Messolonghi with Nafplio, retracing the path of the Exodus fighters after the dramatic events of the Messolonghi Exodus, is already breathtaking — but this year it becomes even more special, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of that magnificent moment in Greek history. How did this idea come about, and what does it symbolise for you personally?
[Kostas Karkanias]: For me, and for many Messolonghians, the desire to walk or run in the footsteps of the few ancestors who survived the Exodus has been a dream of many decades. We were moved by the possibility of crossing the same places as they did, and of experiencing the emotion of people who, after 12 months of tight siege, were thrilled at the chance to fly towards Freedom — not to hide, but to continue fighting. After all, we repeat the first small part of this journey every year, participating in the Festival of Saint Simeon on the eve of Pentecost, when armed or on horseback we walk from the City to the Monastery of Saint Simeon, which was the intended first stop of the Exodus fighters.
I should note that many of us Messolonghians are direct descendants of those who left the City and walked to Nafplio. Among my own ancestors, two managed to reach Nafplio, one took a different route and ended up in present-day Amygdali in the province of Argithea in the prefecture of Karditsa, and one was killed.
[Advendure]: To what extent was the route based on historical sources and testimonies, and what aspects of the history of the Free Besieged would you like the runners to discover through the race?
[Kostas Karkanias]: There are memoirs by fighters who themselves participated in the Exodus, or whose comrades did, as well as historical accounts by contemporaries and many later historians. The first group includes Nik. Kasomoulis, Artemios Michos, Spyros Milios, the physician Stefanitzis, and their contemporary Messolonghian historian Spyridon Trikoupis; the second includes General Nikolaos Makris, son of Dimitrios Makris, and more recent scholars Spyridoula Alexandropoulou, Kostas Karakoidis, Nikolaos Kolomvas, and others, among whom I have made a small contribution myself.
The runners participating this year, and in the years to come, as well as the many thousands who will follow the race, will have the opportunity to appreciate both the difficulty and the beauty of the route — passing through the same places, crossing the same rivers, the same ravines, climbing the same mountains, stopping if only briefly at the same villages as those fighters did.
It will be a journey of remembrance of what happened 200 years ago.
[Advendure]: Historical records show that the Exodus fighters split into two groups and reached Nafplio by different routes. Why did you choose this particular route for the 1st “Road of Freedom”?
[Kostas Karkanias]: Indeed, reading Kasomoulis we understand that the Exodus fighters split at present-day Ano Chora Nafpaktias.
The first large group, consisting of approximately 1,500 fighters who had come to help defend the City from many parts of Epirus, Macedonia, Dorida and elsewhere — together with many Klephts of the Zygos, other Aetolo-Acarnanians and Euryranians, and a few Messolonghians — followed the route through Roumeli shown on the map, and crossed by boat from the coast of Domvraina to Perachora, from where they marched via the Isthmus to Nafplio.
The second group, with approximately 300 Messolonghians who had survived out of the roughly 8,500 inhabitants of the City, marched under Giannakis Razikotsikas and Mitros Deligiorgis along a shorter route, in order to reach Nafplio quickly without delay. They crossed the Mornos river, descended towards Glyfa, opposite Trizonia, and from there again by boat crossed to Aigio, continuing along a mountain route towards Nemea and Nafplio.
The first group arrived at their destination on May 20, while the second arrived on April 28.
This year we will run the second route, which was almost unknown — both to bring it to light, and to present the motivations of the Messolonghians, about which Kasomoulis speaks.
[Advendure]: The “Road of Freedom” is not simply an ultramarathon, but a route where history meets a very powerful athletic challenge. Few races in the world combine such deep emotional and historical weight with the physical demands of an ultra-distance runner. What do you believe the runners will feel when they walk or run in the footsteps of the 1826 Exodus fighters?
[Kostas Karkanias]: I hope that all those who participate — Greeks and foreigners alike — will have read what happened 200 years ago, and above all that the besieged chose not to surrender to their besiegers, but to leave the City with swords in hand, striving to remain Free. And that out of approximately 12,000 people, fewer than 2,000 managed to survive.
I believe they will feel the profound emotion of taking part in a unique Race of Sacrifice, in a unique moment of Greek and World History — one that demonstrates the love of Freedom, for which we are sometimes willing to attempt the impossible, even at the risk of our lives.
[Advendure]: If there were one image or moment from the Messolonghi Exodus that you would like to “bring to life” through this race, what would it be and why?
[Kostas Karkanias]: I think there are two overwhelming moments.
The first is the moment when thousands of fighters and thousands of civilians rise up from the ground where they had lain waiting for the signal to start, and rush with swords in hand against the besiegers.
This surge is depicted in Vryzakis’ painting of the Exodus, even though the image above the bridge does not correspond to reality.
The second is the moment when they have climbed high enough up the mountain to be safe, and they turn their eyes towards the City — which they see engulfed in smoke and fire — and hear the sounds of resistance from those left behind, and shortly after the explosion of Kapsalis, which dragged hundreds of both Ottomans and Greeks to their deaths.
[Advendure]: Why did you choose to organise a single ultra-distance race rather than a multi-day stage race or a relay? What does this choice mean to you, both athletically and symbolically?
[Kostas Karkanias]: We believed, and continue to believe, that the immense difficulty faced by the Messolonghians and other fighters of Messolonghi must be made visible.
It must be a difficult Race — one that surpasses the usual endurance of athletes.
It must be a Race that seems impossible.
[Advendure]: The “Road of Freedom” spans approximately 440 kilometres across terrain with significant elevation gain. How is it organised (aid stations, checkpoints, etc.) and what are the key characteristics and challenges of the route? Additionally, which regions of Greece does it cross, and which points do you consider most emblematic for the runners?
[Giorgos Diamantis]: We have 10 main stations and checkpoints, located indoors, providing hot food and possible rest areas, as well as 45 smaller stations offering snacks, water, isotonic drinks, etc. The roads are either paved or good dirt tracks. Significant elevation changes, totalling 12,285 metres. The emblematic point is the Artotiva Bridge, where Karaiskakis had sent his men to count how many survivors there were. The route will follow this course:
(Municipality of Messolonghi): EVINOCHORI, KOUTSOCHERI — (Municipality of Agrinio): PARADISI — (Municipality of Thermos): ANALEPSI (DERVEKISTA) — (Municipality of Nafpaktia): ARTOTIVA BRIDGE, ACHLADOKASTRO, PLATANOS, ANO CHORA, LIMNISTA — (Municipality of Dorida): TEICHIO, DAFNOCHORI (MARAZIA), GLYFADA.
CROSSING TO THE PORT OF AIGIO (by boat)
(Municipality of Aigialeia): AIGIO, KATO DIAKOFTO, ANO DIAKOFTO, ANO POTAMIA, LAKE TSIVLOU — (Municipality of Xylokastro–Evrostini): SARANTAPECHO, EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI), GELINI, ANO TRIKALA, MANNA, PANARITI — (Municipality of Sikyonion): VELINA, KLIMENDI, KAISARI, ASPROKAMPOS (EXO) — (Municipality of Nemea): NEMEA, GEOMBRES PACKING FACILITY, BELOW THE NATIONAL ROAD — (Municipality of Argos–Mykines): MALANDRENI, TOWARDS STATHAIKA, ARGOS, NEA KIOS — (Municipality of Nafplio): NAFPLIO.
[Advendure]: The “Road of Freedom” passes through many municipalities and regions of Greece. How difficult is it to coordinate such a large event, which local authorities or bodies have supported the race, and what has been the greatest organisational challenge so far? I imagine there is an experienced and capable organising team behind the event. Can you tell us 2–3 things about the team and how its experience ensures the success of the race?
[Giorgos Diamantis]: Personally, I am the founder and organiser for 7 years of the Authentic Pheidippidean Race. Our team includes people with experience in public administration, local government, the armed forces, the security services, education, and more.
[Advendure]: What are the main priorities regarding runner safety in such a large race, and how important do you consider the participation of local communities along the route to the success of the event?
[Giorgos Diamantis]: Continuous monitoring via GPS tracking, as well as in-person monitoring by volunteers and supervisors along the route. The participation of local communities is the alpha and omega of any event. I believe we have already succeeded in bringing everyone together as one team.
[Advendure]: Given the great international appeal of the Spartathlon — a race that also has an enormous historical background, as well as an excellent structure and long history — do you believe that the “Road of Freedom” can also evolve into an internationally renowned ultramarathon? Are there ambitions to attract foreign runners, and what “identity” would you like the race to develop in the coming years? Could Messolonghi or Nafplio similarly become reference points for ultrarunning, as the Acropolis and Sparta are for the Spartathlon?
[Giorgos Diamantis]: The Spartathlon does not rest on its historicity, but on the fact that it is over 40 years old and when it began there were no other ultra-distance races. Great races need time to mature and show their potential. Our race carries a very heavy historical weight — one from relatively modern Greece. We aspire to carry the message of the Exodus to the ends of the world. At the same time, the quality of the race and the attention given to participants will make it an ultra destination as an event in its own right. As for the two beautiful cities, we are absolutely certain they will become reference points.
[Advendure]: What would you say to a runner considering taking part in this first historic event, and what message would you like the “Road of Freedom” to convey about history, freedom and sport?
[Giorgos Diamantis]: That it will be breathtaking to run in the footsteps of these heroes. The “Road of Freedom” sends the message of tireless effort, fighting spirit, dignity, and NON-submission — neither to others, nor even to the commands of the mind.
[Advendure]: Kostas, from what I know of you, you are a deeply emotional person who loves Messolonghi and the history of your homeland. If you could convey one message to the athletic community and to all those who will follow the race, what would it be — something personal or deeply heartfelt about the Road of Freedom?
[Kostas Karkanias]: Many Messolonghians, like myself, are direct descendants of the fighters who, on the Saturday of Lazarus, at around 10 o’clock at night, left the City and tried with their swords to open a Road to Freedom. Out of approximately 9,500 Messolonghians, around 300 succeeded — marching without delay and reaching Nafplio on April 28, that is after 18 days, while the others from the military corps arrived on May 20. And as soon as they arrived, they took up military service.
Among the 300, two of my own direct ancestors are recorded — Nikos and Dimitris Karkanias — as well as other neighbours of ours in Messolonghi. At home and in the neighbourhood we always spoke about this ROAD, and we wished we could walk it as an act of remembrance. THIS WAS A DREAM!
Today, neither I nor our other relatives and friends have the strength to run it ourselves. But those who do run, I am certain, will feel the emotion of treading in the footsteps of Heroes — let us not forget: 300 out of 9,500 — who 200 years ago sacrificed everything: families, homes, fields, for Freedom. And they asked for nothing and received nothing in return.
They will be watching over the runners from above, giving them strength!
And many thousands of us will envy them!
Dimitris Troupis