On Sunday, 15 June 2025, the 5th Vamvakou Mountain Run was completed! For yet another year, we didn’t count just kilometers! The success of Vamvakou’s greatest sporting celebration was marked by smiles, the accomplishment of personal goals, warm hugs, encouraging voices, and solidarity, shared by 470 runners joining from Athens, the Peloponnese, and other regions. The athletic event was held for the fifth consecutive year by Vamvakou Revival, as part of the village’s Revival initiative, realised with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
A festive atmosphere prevailed from Saturday, 14 June onwards, with a warm-up speech that inspired and brought together old and new runners. Dean Karnazes and Jo Manta shared tips and first-hand experiences with the audience, while we were honored by Dean’s participation in the long run route.
A well-organized race offering three routes of 7K, 19K and 29K full of challenges mingled old and new participants who ran again on the paths of Vamvakou. The village square was the starting point for all runners who ran through spectacular scenery in the forest and the mountains. They passed through gorges, hiking trails and awe-inspiring spots, leaving behind only their footprints and gaining experiences of a lifetime.
The big celebration reached its peak on the way to the finish at the village square. Visitors, companions, friends, families and a burst of warm applause awaited each runner at the finish line.
As for us, success was measured by and turned into excitement for every familiar face returning to break their records and every smile we saw at the finish line.
So, see you next year! Until then, enjoy training… run, laugh, have fun, and we look forward to seeing you back here in a year!
Organized by: Vamvakou Revival
Supervised by: Ioannis Dimopoulos
Lead Donor: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)