1st FREEDOM RUN
MESSOLONGHI – NAFPLIO (SOUTHERN ROUTE)
May 28 – June 1, 2026
200 YEARS LATER

RACE ANNOUNCEMENT

We announce the organization of the 1st FREEDOM RUN from Messolonghi to Nafplio, covering 439.2 kilometers, from May 28 to June 1, 2026.

The race has a historical foundation and is organized in honor of the defenders of Messolonghi, who, rather than surrender to the Ottomans besieging their city, carried out the Heroic Exodus toward Freedom, marching toward Nafplio — the then-capital of revolutionary Greece.

The runners will follow the route of the people of Messolonghi, who departed on April 10, 1826 and arrived in Nafplio on April 28.

The event is organized by the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF FREEDOM, with a committee comprising members from 6 historical and local associations.

The 1st FREEDOM RUN is held under the auspices of the Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, the Municipalities of Thermos, Doris, Nafpaktia, Delphi and others, the Regions of Western Greece and Central Greece, the Pan-Aetolian-Acarnanian Confederation (PANSY), the Federation of Nafpaktia Associations (OSYN), the Federation of Aigialeia Associations, and has the support of all municipalities and associations along the route.

RACE DURATION
Duration: 99 Hours
Start: Old Train Engine House, Messolonghi
Finish: Syntagma Square, Nafplio
START: May 28, 2026 at 08:00 a.m.
FINISH (last athlete): June 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
ATHLETE TIME LIMIT: 98 HOURS due to the sea crossing segment

ROUTE
The route is predominantly paved, with some sections on good quality dirt road.

The route passes through:
(Municipality of Messolonghi): EVINOCHORI, KOUTSOCHERI — (Municipality of Agrinio): PARADISI — (Municipality of Thermos): ANALIPSI (DERVEKISTA) — (Municipality of Nafpaktia): ARTOTYVAS BRIDGE, ACHLADOKASTRO, PLATANOS, ANO CHORA, LIMNISTA — (Municipality of Doris): TEICHIO, DAFNOCHORI (MARAZIA), GLYFADA.

SEA CROSSING AT THE PORT OF AIGIO (1)

(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 HIGHWAY — (Municipality of Argos-Mykines): MALANDRENI, TOWARD STATHAIKA, ARGOS, NEA KIOS — (Municipality of Nafplio): NAFPLIO

NOTE (1)

  1. Sea transfer GLYFADA (TRIZONIA) – AIGIO by boat.
  2. The boat to AIGIO will depart approximately every two (2) hours, provided athletes are present, specifically:
    • 29/5, 09:00 a.m.
    • 29/5, 11:00 a.m.
    • 29/5, 01:00 p.m.
    • 29/5, 03:00 p.m.
    • 29/5, 05:00 p.m.
    • 29/5, 07:00 p.m.
    • 29/5, 09:00 p.m.
    • 29/5, 11:00 p.m.
    • 30/5, 01:30 a.m. or earlier if the last athlete has arrived
  3. Athletes must board the next available boat immediately upon arrival at the GLYFADA checkpoint. Refusal to board the immediately next boat will result in a time penalty of one hour and thirty minutes added to the athlete’s final result. Upon disembarkation in Aigio, athletes must pass immediately through the Aigio checkpoint.

CHECKPOINTS – MAIN STATIONS

MESSOLONGHI – 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
AIGIO – NAFPLIO
PORT OF AIGIO0192,69:1541:30
ANO POTAMIA49,2241,811:2052:50
EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI)54,3296,112:4065:30
ANO TRIKALA33,7329,87:5073:20
NEMEA63,9393,714:3087:50
NAFPLIO45,5439,237:0098:00

TIMING
The race will feature electronic timing. The Organizing Committee has ensured athlete timing with intermediate checkpoints, as well as monitoring by supervisors along the route, to ensure a smooth, safe and reliable race.

Final results will be calculated by adding the times of the MESSOLONGHI–GLYFADA and AIGIO–NAFPLIO segments.

Athletes will also be tracked electronically via a GPS device they will carry throughout the race. The system will include a live map link and the device will have an SOS button. The tracking link will be announced before the race.

SUPPLY POINTS
There will be 55 supply points along the route providing water, isotonic drinks and snacks. 10 of these will be major stations, serving as checkpoints and short rest stops. A detailed list will follow.

Hot meals will be available at the major stations.

For athletes without a support crew who wish to have personal supplies delivered, they may submit food and drink packages to designated MAJOR STATIONS. Each package must be clearly labeled with the athlete’s BIB number, full name, and station number. Personal supplies, as well as supplies carried in support crew vehicles, are subject to inspection by the organization.

IMPORTANT: Support crew members may only assist their athlete at the official race tables (within 30 meters of the aid table). Any assistance provided between stations (away from aid tables) will result in the athlete’s disqualification.

ATHLETE ACCOMMODATION
The Organizing Committee of the 1st Freedom Run, marking the 200th anniversary of the Heroic Exodus of Messolonghi (April 1826), informs participants of the following:

Free accommodation will be provided to athletes in Messolonghi on the evening of May 28, 2026, the night before the race start.

Additionally, after finishing in Nafplio:

  • Athletes finishing on Sunday will receive free accommodation on the evening of May 31.
  • Athletes finishing on Monday will have access to free accommodation for a shower and rest until the afternoon of the same day, when the closing ceremony will take place, subject to attendance at the ceremony.

TRANSPORTATION
An official race transport will depart on 27/5/2026 at 11:30 p.m. from Athens, Karaiskaki Square – Metaxourgeio, so that athletes arrive in Messolonghi approximately 2.5 hours before the technical briefing.

Luggage will be transported by the organization to Nafplio.

The organization will also arrange return transportation to Athens, Karaiskaki Square – Metaxourgeio, following the Closing Ceremony and Awards in Nafplio.

Athletes who withdraw must:

  1. Sign the withdrawal form together with the station supervisor.
  2. Return their timing chip.
  3. Return their GPS device.
  4. Be transported by the supervisor to the next major station.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

COMPETITIVE REQUIREMENTS
There are no competitive prerequisites.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Submission of a medical certificate, dated no more than six months before the race start date, confirming the participant’s good health.
  2. Payment of the entry fee.

ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is €500.

The entry fee includes:

  • Race bib number
  • Electronic timing
  • Finisher’s medal
  • Finisher’s certificate
  • Luggage transfer from Messolonghi to Nafplio
  • Transfer of personal supplies to designated checkpoints
  • Medical services throughout the race
  • Transportation for athletes who do not finish
  • Water, energy drinks, energy bars, fruit and snacks (chips, raisins, salty snacks, chocolates, crackers, honey, etc.) at 55 aid stations
  • Hot meals at 10 MAJOR STATIONS (pasta, rice, soups)
  • Rest facilities at 10 MAJOR STATIONS
  • GPS event tracking with SOS button

IMPORTANT: Hotel accommodation beyond what is stated above is not included, nor are meals or transportation for support crew, or athlete meals beyond the menu provided by the organization.

REGISTRATION
Please submit your registration by 30/4/2026 at the following link:
Please register up to 30/4/2026 following the link: https://raceid.com/en/races/14601/about

CANCELLATION POLICY
Participants may cancel their registration and receive a full refund (minus bank charges) up to 30/3/2026. After this date, no refunds will be issued.

MEDALS & TROPHIES
A special award will be presented to the overall male and female winner.
Special awards will be given to the top three men and top three women after the overall winner.
All finishers will receive a commemorative medal, a t-shirt and a finisher’s certificate.
All participating athletes will also receive a souvenir and a t-shirt.

MEDICAL SUPPORT
Comprehensive medical coverage will be provided along the entire route, including doctors, paramedics and EKAV (National Emergency Medical Service). The following hospitals will be on standby under the operational plan of EKEPY: Attikon University Hospital, Thriasio General Hospital of Elefsina, Corinth General Hospital, Argolida General Hospital (Argos), Evangelistria General Arcadian Hospital of Tripoli, and Sparta General Hospital.

STORAGE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Arrangements will be made for the secure storage of participants’ personal belongings.

ATHLETE BRIEFING & OPENING CEREMONY
On 27/5/2026 at 16:30, an opening ceremony honoring all participating athletes will take place at the Garden of Heroes.
The athlete briefing, bib number collection and personal supply drop-off will take place on 27/5/2026 at 17:30, in a venue to be announced.

CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony and awards presentation will take place on 1/6/2026 at 18:00 in Nafplio, at a venue to be announced.

INFORMATION
Visit our website: https://runtofreedom.org

We consider this race a premier event in the world of ultra-distance running, deeply connected to the history of Greece. Participating in such a re-enactment is an honor for every athlete. We will make every effort to ensure the race is conducted under the best possible conditions and leaves all of us with a sense of fulfillment and pride.

THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:

Konstantinos Karkanias, President
Konstantinos Antonopoulos, Secretary
Giorgos Diamantis, Technical Advisor

MEMBERS:

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF FREEDOM — Konstantinos Karkanias
BROTHERHOOD OF DESCENDANTS OF THE FREE BESIEGED — Ioannis Makris
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN CENTRAL GREECE — Athanasios Spyropoulos
BROTHERHOOD OF ACHLADOKASTRO NAFPAKTIA “AGIOS NIKOLAOS” — Dimitris Pylarinos
UNION OF DORIAN SCIENTISTS — Konstantinos Antonopoulos
ASSOCIATION OF ANALIPSIOTES OF AITOLIA — Ioannis Tasiopoulos

To access the route map, use the following link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1DdbaUEcDOmxdxAuh1TYLJy86lokkmcg&ll=38.50715413047849%2C21.803922428512323&z=11

or scan the QR code on the map at the home page of the site www.runtofreedom.org.


Freedom Run: Messolonghi–Nafplio — 200 Years — 1826–2026