HISTORIC ULTRA MARATHON “FREEDOM RUN“
RULES & REGULATIONS
Regulations for the Ultra Marathon Greece Europe, scheduled from May 28 to June 1, delineate the challenging historical route participants will traverse. The event features a maximum elevation gain of 12.285 meters, with the highest point reaching 1.529 meters above sea level. Supply stations will be strategically positioned along the route to provide essential aid and resources to participants. Adherence to these regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe and successful race experience.
ARTICLE 1
“Freedom Run”, is organized by the INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM ACADEMY and the Organizing Committee includes members from 6 historical-local Associations.
“Freedom Run” is held under the auspices of Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi as well as the Municipality of Thermo, Municipality of Dorida etc as well as the Regional Governments of Western Greece and Central Greece and also Confederation of All the Cultural Associations of Aitoloakarnania “PANSY” and has the support of all the municipalities and associations through the course of the race.
ARTICLE 2:
Greek and Foreign Ultra-Runners who fulfill the necessary and medical conditions are eligible for this race. Participation of athletes under 18 years old is prohibited.
ARTICLE 3:
Runners must fill the application form using the following link: https://raceid.com/en/races/14601/abou t
Until 28/4/2026
NECESSARY ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE PRECONDITIONS
There are no participation requirements.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Conditions for receiving the number:
• Original recent medical certificate of good health (with a date not older than 6 months before the start of the run).
The medical certificate of good health must be sent by email to the address: RunToFreedom1826@gmail.com no later than 23/3/2026.
ARTICLE 4
It is emphasized that the race is on a public road, with simultaneous passage of vehicles. Runners accept full responsibility for their participation and release the organizers and everyone involved in the race (referees, volunteers, sponsors) from any liability for whatever might happen to them during or after the race. Athletes should be aware that the race is painful and certify that their health condition allows them to participate and that they have been properly prepared. They must also know that the medical care may not be provided during the entire event and in all parts of the route.
ARTICLE 5
The BIB number of the participant must be clearly visible throughout the race. Athletes are obliged to show their BIB number whenever it is needed by the Organizing Committee or the volunteers.
All athletes must wear brightly colored clothes or reflective stripes from sunset to sunrise and have a functional headlight on and a red indicator light on the back (with spare batteries). In addition, athletes should bring with them a raincoat or windbreaker with a vibrant color.
For safety reasons, it is recommended that runners move on the left side of the road (as opposed to the direction of vehicles), except at points where the Organizing Committee deems a change is required. It is also forbidden for two athletes to run next to each other on high-speed roads.
The Organizing Committee will provide all athletes with a GPS device for safety. All athletes need to carry their GPS device on them during the race. The GPS devices will be distributed during the technical briefing and must be returned at the end of the race or when an athlete quits. If an athlete will not return the device, he is obliged to pay a loss fee of 150 euros.
By any violation of these rules, the Organizing Committee has the right to suspend any athlete from continuing the race.
ARTICLE 6
Time limits at check points – cut off points:
MESOLOGGI – NAFPLIO
| MESSOLONGHI | ANALIPSI | 10:40 |
| ANALIPSI | PLATANOS | 16:15 |
| PLATANOS | ANO CHORA | 25:15 |
| ANO CHORA | TIHIO | 32:15 |
| TIHIO | GLYFADA | 41:30 |
| AIGIO PORT | ANO POTAMIA | 52:00 |
| ANO POTAMIA | EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI) | 65:30 |
| EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI) | MID TRIKALA | 73:20 |
| MID TRIKALA | NEMEA | 87:50 |
| NEMEA | NAFPLIO | 98:00 |
ARTICLE 7
Organizing Committee Chart:
| President of the Organizing Committee |
| Secretary of the Organizing Committee |
| Race Supervisor Technical Advisor |
| Sectors’ Supervisors |
| Central Stations (Check Points) Supervisors |
| Supply Table Responsible |
ARTICLE 8
The route MESOLOGGI – NAFPLIO will be divided into control Sectors as follows:
| sector 1 | MESSOLONGHI | ANALIPSI |
| sector 2 | ANALIPSI | PLATANOS |
| sector 3 | PLATANOS | ANO CHORA |
| sector 4 | ANO CHORA | TIHIO |
| sector 5 | TIHIO | GLYFADA |
| sector 6 | AIGIO PORT | ANO POTAMIA |
| sector 7 | ANO POTAMIA | EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI) |
| sector 8 | EVROSTINI (ZACHOLI) | MID TRIKALA |
| sector 9 | MID TRIKALA | NEMEA |
| sector 10 | NEMEA | NAFPLIO |
Two Sector Supervisors will be present in each area. They have the responsibility for the coordination of the Division. The Sector Supervisors report to the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and the Race Supervisor. They will check that athletes:
a) Comply with the rules
b) Are in proper health condition to continue
If the rules of the race are violated or the health of the athlete is at risk, the Sector Supervisors have every authority to suspend the athlete’s participation.
ARTICLE 9
Ferry Transfer
1. There will be a Ferry transport from GLYFADA (TRIZONIA) – AIGIO
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 are required to board the next ferry departure immediately upon arrival at the GLYFADA checkpoint. Any athlete refusal to board IMMEDIATELY on the next ship will result in a one hour and thirty minutes add, as penalty, on the final result.
4. Upon disembarkation in Aegio, athletes must pass immediately through the Aegio checkpoint.
ARTICLE 10
The results will be obtained by adding the time MESSOLONGHI-GLYFADA plus AIGIO-NAFPLIO.
ARTICLE 11
The use of any pharmaceutical formulations without the approval of the doctor of the sector and the Organizing Committee are strictly prohibited.
ARTICLE 12
People not connected to the race, walking or on car, are strictly prohibited to escort the contestant athletes in any point of the route with the exception of Article 11. At the same time, it is strictly prohibited for contestant athletes to embark on cars.
ARTICLE 13
Any support and any supply to the contestant athletes between the supply points are strictly prohibited. Certified Escorts on certified cars carrying the race signs can offer support to the athlete exclusively at the supply points (30 meters before and 30 meters beyond the table). Violation of this rule by a supporter will result in the disqualification of the athlete.
ARTICLE 14
For safety reasons and awareness, it is suggested that athletes are not carrying portable radios or other audio devices. Mobile phones are allowed for communication in case of emergency.
ARTICLE 15
Runners, who wish to quit the race, will have to declare it at the nearest supply or check point or the Sector Supervisor. The corresponding withdrawal form must be filled in and delivered together with the BIB number and GPS device.
ARTICLE 16
Any participant, who reaches the Check point having exceeded the time limit, will automatically be disqualified, and will deliver his BIB number and GPS device.
ARTICLE 17
After 30/4/2026, no participation will be accepted. The Organizing Committee will then announce the list of participants and will send them the acceptance document.
ARTICLE 18
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations can be accepted, with return of the participation fee (excluded bank expences) until 23/2/2026 After the expiration of this date, No participation fee will not be returned.
ARTICLE 19
Athletes can deliver their own personal items (drop bags) for specific check point, to the organizers at the technical briefing, in order to be placed at specific check points. In any case and in each package NAME / SURNAME / BIB Number / CHECK POINT Number must be clearly stipulated.
The Organizing Committee has every right to check the content of the package, as well as the content of the escort cars.
ARTICLE 20
Runners have the right to appeal against any teammate, who violated the rules during the race. The appeal can be submitted to the President or the Secretary of the Organizing Committee or the Race Supervisor before the official award ceremony.
ARTICLE 21
Athletes are obliged to declare any escort cars (with the restriction of the Article 12 & 13) with the plate number.
The Organizing Committee will issue escort certificate and will deliver special race signs for the cars.
Cars not certified or without carrying the race signs are not allowed to offer support to the athlete at any point of the entire race.
ARTICLE 22
In order to keep the athletic spirit, the runners must exhibit irreproachable behavior and be courteous to their teammates and the Organizing Committee representatives.
ARTICLE 23
All finisher participants are recommended to be present at the awards ceremony. In case of absence, the participant should inform the Organizing Committee.
ARTICLE 24
The check points and supply points may be transferred to another position without prior announcement, in case of roadworks in process, weather conditions, lighting and so on.
ARTICLE 25
Responsible for resolving any dispute that may arise, which is not clearly stipulated in the rules and regulations text, are the President or the Secretary of the Organizing Committee or the Race Supervisor and the sectors’ Supervisors.
ARTICLE 26
Athletes can be disqualified from the race for the reasons referred bellow:
- Violation of any article of RULES AND REGULATIONS.
- Non proper athletic behavior
- Arriving at a check point having exceeded the time limit.
- If considered by the medical team to be incapable of completing the race, or after decision of a Sector Supervisor if he judges that the health of the athlete is at risk.
ARTICLE 27
Force Majeure
In the event of cancellation of the race due to force majeure, including but not limited to extreme weather events, social unrest, strikes or other unforeseen circumstances, the registration fee will be transferred to a future race. The Organizing Committee is not responsible for any additional reimbursements incurred by the participant, including but not limited to travel, accommodation or related expenses.
ARTICLE 28
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
By registering to the race, athletes and escorts accept the collection, processing and storage of their personal data by the Organization, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR). Personal data is used exclusively for purposes related to the organization, management, security, communication and promotion of the event, as well as for the maintenance of the relevant archive of the organizers.
Participants also accept the use and publication of photographic, audiovisual and video material in which they may be depicted, on the official website, on social media, in printed material, as well as in the official bulletins and the report of the event, without any financial claim.
Personal data is not transmitted to third parties, beyond what is absolutely necessary for the organization and conduct of the event or if required by law. Participants retain the right to access, correct or delete their personal data, as well as to withdraw their consent, in accordance with applicable personal data protection legislation
ARTICLE 29
All articles are important and vital for the race.