Athens, June 4, 2021 – The Authentic Marathon Swim is approaching and expects to gather participations of amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad for the 2 nd consecutive year, on July 2-4, 2021, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos.
The absolutely successful
organization of the Authentic Marathon Swim last year, led the event to the top
of the Tourism Awards with 5 awards in total. More specifically, it was distinguished
with 2 Silver awards for the strategy implemented for the “Guest – Staff Protection”
during the Covid-19 pandemic and its “Integrated Communications Campaign” while
receiving 3 Bronze awards at the “Sports Tourism”, “Interconnection of tourism
with other sectors of the Greek economy” and “Technology enhanced experience”
categories for the technology solutions used to improve the travel experience.
In the context of presenting this
year’s event activities, statements were made by the Mayor of Istiea-Edipsos,
Mr. Ioannis Kontzias, the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Harry Theoharis, the Deputy
Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, the Governor of
Central Greece Region, Mr. Fanis Spanos, the President of the Greek National
Tourism Organization, Mrs. Angela Gerekou, the President of the Hellenic Swimming
Federation, Mr. Kyriakos Giannopoulos, the Hungarian holder of the Oceans Seven
and member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Attila Manyoki
and the open water masters world champion, Vicky Kouveli.
On behalf of the organization, the
Mayor of Istiea-Edipsos, Mr. Ioannis Kontzias stated: “The Municipality of
Istiea-Edipsos, believing that its main priority is the promotion of its cultural
and historical heritage, continues with more enthusiasm to organize, for the 2
nd year, the Authentic Marathon Swim. This year, on July 2-4, we are waiting
for you all to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision.
Sports tourism is an industry that is highly developed and covers 20% of the
total tourist traffic. With a set of events throughout the territory of our
Municipality, we aim to make sports tourism one of the main pillars of our
tourism product”.
A statement was sent by the Minister
of Tourism, Mr. Harry Theoharis, in which he stated, among other things:
“Tourism in Greece is indissolubly linked to culture and sports. The country
that gave birth to the Olympic Games and the ancient Greek culture, offers visitors
an unparalleled advantage of tourism experience, safety, and culture. In this context,
the great sports tourism organization of the “Authentic Marathon Swim” can
offer international recognition and increase of tourist traffic in the
Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and throughout our country. Such a sports - but
at the same time tourism and cultural - event, contributes to the promotion and
expansion of the level of services offered to tourists-consumers who visit our
country. I would like to express my warm congratulations to the organizers and
the participants for organizing such a great sports event, especially at such a
difficult time due to the global pandemic. A few days ago, Greek tourism
“opened its sails” for its restart. And such events as yours, contribute to the
promotion, but mainly to the successful attempt to return to normalcy; to take
our lives back again”.
Respectively, the Deputy Minister of
Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis stressed, among other things:
“I congratulate you for your excellent initiative, which revives the
institution of the authentic marathon swim. An example that highlights the
great contribution of sports as well as the development potential of Municipalities
and the crucial role of local government in local, social, and cultural development.
The institution of the Authentic Marathon Swim, through the revival of the
authentic marathon swimming route of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna is an
excellent example”.
The Governor of Central Greece
Region, Mr. Fanis Spanos stated among others: “With joy and with even greater
anticipation we welcome the Authentic Marathon Swim at Pefki in Evia, for the
2nd consecutive year, in memory of the legendary Skyllias and his daughter
Hydna. A special action that combines sports, history, and our culture. An
action that was inspired and initiated by the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos
and its Mayor, Ioannis Kontzias and which we supported last year and continue to
support this year with great satisfaction and positivity. I wish good luck to
the event and strength to our swimmers. They will need it because marathon
races are very demanding. And of course, a wish and a commitment. To always
support with all our forces the actions that promote everything beautiful that
our place has and to make it more attractive”.
The President of the Greek National
Tourism Organization, Mrs. Angela Gerekou highlighted: “It is with great
pleasure that the Greek National Tourism Organization welcomes and supports the
2 nd Authentic Marathon Swim, which depicts the revival of the authentic,
historic marathon route after 2,500 years. Participants in this event are great
athletes from around the world who swim over the shipwrecks of the historic
naval battle of Artemision. Greek National Tourism Organization supports and
promotes successful events like these, because it firmly believes in the
dynamics of sports, cultural, historical tourism which is a necessary component
of experiential tourism”.
The President of the Hellenic
Swimming Federation, Mr. Kyriakos Giannopoulos, sent a greeting to the event,
in which, he stressed among other things: “With a great joy and pleasure, I
greet as President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and on behalf of its Board
of Directors the Authentic Marathon Swim that takes place on July 2-4 at Pefki,
Evia. The event, which essentially revives 2,500 years later, the authentic
marathon route followed by Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, in the historic naval
battle of Artemision in 480 B.C., is a lighthouse of our cultural and natural
wealth for the participants, among others, who thus become a part of history in
the place where marathon swimming was actually born. The initiative of the
Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and the specifications that are set for the
achievement of excellent races’ results, are the desideratum for us at the
Hellenic Swimming Federation, which also aims at the development of sports
tourism in Greece. With absolute safety and always harmonized with the rules of
the Federation, the General Secretariat of Sports and the National Public
Health Organization, I wish you the best".
In addition, the Hungarian swimmer
Attila Manyoki, who will take part in the event, also highlighted: “I would
like to thank the event for the invitation. I am very happy to take part in the
Authentic Marathon Swim. It will be impressive to swim the 10km above the shipwrecks
of the naval battle of Artemision. I am sure that my visit to Pefki will be a fantastic
and unforgettable experience”.
Finally, the open water masters world
champion, Vicky Kouveli stated about her participation this year: “The Authentic
Marathon Swim, from its first time last year, is really in our hearts. Both
because the organization was impeccable, at the very beautiful natural landscape
in which the race took place and the fact that it is inspired by a historical
event. The battle of Artemision. Worthily, it claims a place in the annual
calendar of marathon swimmers and is an attraction for sports tourism. This
year too I will participate and finish like a modern Hydna. I will be waiting
to meet you there and swim together”.
Register now for the races &
acquire the richest participation kits
Participants will swim with safety in
the impressive 10km route (over the shipwrecks of the Naval Battle of
Artemision that took place in 480 B.C.), the 3km, the 1.5km as well as the new
and unique 5km route. Respectively, the younger fans of the sea will have the opportunity
to test their swimming skills in the 800m children’s race. The 5km, 3km, 1.5km
and 800m. routes will have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point. Registration
for the 800m children’s race is free. The event also offers a special discount
on group registrations of more than 10 people. All citizens of Istiea- Edipsos
will have the opportunity to take part in the 5km, 3km and 1.5km routes as well
as the 800m. children’s race, completely free of charge. Register now: https://bit.ly/2ZdTRFF
Accommodation packages at the
Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos
The Authentic Marathon Swim already
collaborates with more than 35 hotels in the region, with the aim of
revitalizing the sports tourism industry of Northern Evia and strengthening the
Greek tourism product. Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously
supported with special prices starting from 40 euros, by the followinghospitality
sponsors: Maria Louiza Apartments, Altamar Hotel, Villa Anastasia, Ellaeon
Throesma, Kochili Apartments, Pefki Seascape Rooms, Hydna Studios, Aktaion
Hotel, Arethousa Hotel, Galini Hotel Edipsos, Island, Ilios Studios, Irene Studios,
Meliti Studios, Mirtia Hotel, Prigkipessa Studios, Aenaon Studios, Aidipsos Hotel,
Alex Spa Hotel, Anesis, Apolonio, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Artemision Hotel, Asimina
Rooms, Avli, Evia Dream, Kerasiotis Apartments, Konstantinos Hotel, Lito Hotel,
Maria Studios, Melikari Studios, Oversea Rooms & Villas, Posidonio
Studios, Rodon Hotel, Sunset Pefki, Thalassa Hotel, Viki Studios. You may check
the special accommodation packages here: https://bit.ly/3wOb6vV
NP Insurance and Philosofish are the
event’s Official Sponsors.
Natural Mineral Water Vikos is the
Official Water.
Luanvi is the event’s Official
Clothing Partner.
Avance is the Official Car Rental
Partner.
Target Security is the Security
Partner.
Schoretsanitis Cheese Factory, Nivea
Sun, Syconia and The Norman Farm are the event’s Partners.
Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy,
Leandros, Swimmingclub.gr, LA Elite Fitness, APS TRIAS and Kallithea Open Water
Team are the Authentic Marathon Swim’s Athletic Partners.
The event will be held in accordance
with FINA regulations and the health protocol approved by the Greek General
Secretariat of Sports’ Health Scientific Committee and established by the
experienced team of ActiveMedia Group, in order to ensure the health of
athletes and attendees.
The Authentic Marathon Swim will be
held with the permission of the General Directorate of Tourism Policy of the
Regional Tourism Service of Central Greece, under the auspices of the Greek
National Tourism Organization. The event is co- organized by the Municipality
of Istiea-Edipsos, the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of
Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.S.T.E.), the Central Union
of Municipalities in Greece (KEDE) and the Regional Union of
Municipalities of Central Greece. ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its
sports production. The race has joined the swimming community of Global Swim
Series (GSS).
Share your exciting moments and
memories from the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and the event using the
official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim
Website: www.authenticmarathonswim.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthenticMarathonSwim
Instagram Page: www.instagram.com/authenticmarathonswim
Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/themarathonswim
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxMgl-j5wgosL10lyRay5Q
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