1st FREEDOM RUN
MESSOLONGHI – NAFPLIO (SOUTHERN ROUTE)
May 20 – May 24, 2027

RACE ANNOUNCEMENT

We announce the organization of the 1ST FREEDOM RUN from Mesolonghi to Nafplio, 441,1 kilometers long, from May 20 to May 24, 2027.

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 the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi as well as Thermo, Dorida Nafpaktia, Delphi, Aigialeia, Xylokastro – Evrostini, Sikyonia, Nemea, Argos – Mycenae, Nafplio. as well as the Regional Governments of Western Greece and Central Greece and also Confederation of All the Cultural Associations of Aitoloakarnania “PANSY” Federation of Associations of Nafpaktia (OSYN) and the Federation of Associations of Aigialeia.

ROUTES
It was decided to add other routes in response to the request to honor the heroic march of the “exodites” of Messolonghi also by those who do not have the ability to run all the kilometers:
• CHILDREN’S RACE 1 KM FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. START 20/5/2027 09:30
• RACE 8 KM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN. START 20/5/2027 08:30
• RACE 20 KM MESOLONGI – KOUTSOCHERI. START 20/5/2027 08:00 AND LIMIT 3 HOURS. Anyone who finishes after the limit is considered not to have finished. DNF.
• RACE 80 KM MESOLONGI – PLATANOS. START 20/5/2027 07:30 AND LIMIT 12 HOURS. Anyone who finishes after the limit is considered not to have finished. DNF.
• RACE 441,1 KM MESOLONGI – NAFPLIO

DURATION

Duration 99 Hours Start Old Train Engine House of Messolonghi. Finish Syntagma Square, Nafplio.
START: 20 MAY 2027 at 07:00 a.m.
FINISH of the last runner: 24 MAY 2027 at 10:00 a.m. Anyone who finishes after the time limit is considered not to have finished. DNF.
ATHLETES’ TIME LIMIT 98 HOURS AS SEA TRANSPORT IS INCLUDED

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 ferry.

2. The ferry for AEGIO will depart approximately every two (2) hours provided that there will be  athletes to be transferred and specifically:

• 20/5, 08:00 a.m.
• 20/5, 10:00 a.m.
• 20/5, 12:00 p.m.
• 20/5, 14:00
• 20/5, 16:00
• 20/5, 18:00
• 20/5, 20:00
• 20/5, 22:00
• 21/5, 00:30 a.m. or earlier if the last athlete has arrived

3. Athletes are required to board the next ferry 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.

CHECK POINTS-MAIN SUPPLY/REST STATIONS

MESOLOHHI – GLYFADASECTOR KMKM TOTALSECTOR LIMITLIMIT
ANALIPSI54,554,510:4010:40
PLATANOS25,5805:3516:15
ANO CHORA39,9119,99:0025:15
TICHIO31,3151,27:0032:15
GLYFADA41,4192,69:1541:30
AEGIO – NAFPLIO
PORT OF AEGIO0192,69:1541:30
ANO POTAMIA49,2241,811:2052:50
EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI)54,3296,112:4065:30
ANO TRIKALA33,7329,87:5073:20
NEMEA63,9393,714:3087:50
NAFPLIO47,4441,110:1098:00

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 58 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.

HOSPITALITY

The Organizing Committee of the 1st Freedom Run, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the heroic Exodus of Messolonghi (April 1826), would like to inform all participants of the following:

Free accommodation will be provided to athletes participating in the 441,1 km main race in Messolonghi on the night of May 19, 2027, the day before the start of the race.

Furthermore, after finishing in Nafplio:

  • Participants who arrive on Sunday May 23, 2027, will be provided with free accommodation for the same night.
  • Participants who arrive on Monday will be provided with free accommodation for a warm shower and rest until the afternoon of the same day, when the Closing Ceremony will take place, provided that they attend the ceremony.

TRANSFERS

There will be a transport service provided by the event on 19/5/2027 at 11:30 p.m. from Athens, Karaiskaki Square-Metaxourgeio, so that the athletes can be in Messolonghi approximately 3.5 hours before the Technical Briefing.

The luggage will be transported by the organizers to Nafplio.

At the same time, the event will undertake the transportation of the athletes to Athens, Karaiskaki Square-Metaxourgeio, after the Closing Ceremony and Prize Awarding, which will take place in Nafplio.

RACE WITHDRAWAL (QUIT) PROCEDURE

In the event that an athlete decides to withdraw from the race, they are required to follow the procedure below:

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 FOR MESSOLONGHI–NAFPLIO RACE

All athletes must declare that they have undergone medical examinations and have been deemed fit, while declaring that they run at their own risk.

  • RACE CONDITIONS: There are no participation requirements
  • OTHER CONDITIONS: Presentation of a medical certificate dated maximum six months prior to the date of the race, confirming the good health of the participant.

PARTICIPATION FEE

The participation fee is set as follows:

  • For the two children’s races: FREE
  • For the 20 km race: 15 euros
  • For the 80 km race: 60 euros
    o There will be an early bird discount of 20 % for registrations up to 31/12/2026
  • For the Messolonghi Nafplio race, the participation fee is set at 500 Euros.
    o There will be an early bird discount of 40 % for registrations up to 31/10/2026
    o There will be an early bird discount of 20 % for registrations from 1/11/2026 to 31/1/2026

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 58 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 except those above stipulated. Escort’s meals and transportation are also not included, as well as meals for athletes beyond menu set by the organizers.

REGISTRATION

Please register participation applications by 20/4/2027 at the following 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 20/3       /2027. No cancellation will be refunded after the expiration of this date.

MEDALS-CUPS

  • In the children’s 1000-meter race, there will be no awards for the top finishers, as the organizers do not wish such young children to be encouraged into competition
  • In the 8 km race, the top 3 Female and the top 3 Male will be awarded
  • In the 20 km race, the top 3 Female and the top 3 Male in the General Category will be awarded
    o Specifically in this race, the following awards will be given in the Male and Female age categories:
    • Up to 29 years old
    • 30-39 years old
    • 40-49 years old
    • 50-59 years old
    • 60-69 years old
    • 70+ years old
    Awardees in the general category will not participate in the age categories. For an age category award to be given, there must be at least 3 participants in that category. If there are fewer, the category is merged with the previous one.
  • In the 80 km race
    o A special award will be given to the first overall finisher in the General Category.
    o Special awards will be given to the top three Male and the top three Female after the first overall finisher in the General Category.
  • In the MESOLONGI – NAFPLIO race
    o A special award will be given to the first overall finisher in the General Category.
    o Special awards will be given to the top three Male and the top three Female after the first overall finisher in the General Category.

    All athletes who finish will receive a commemorative medal, T-shirt and diplomas

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.

BRIEFING

On 19/5/2027 at 16:30, an awards ceremony will take place for all participating athletes in the Heroes’ Garden
The athletes’ briefing, collection of numbers and handover of drop bags will take place on 19/5/2027 at 17:30, in a hall to be announced.

CLOSING AND AWARDING CEREMONY

The closing and award ceremony for the first athletes will take place on 24/5/2027 at 18:00, in Nafplio in the hall of the “Vouleftiko” (1st parliament)

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