One Step Away from the Vamvakou Mountain Run 2025: Vamvakou Revival welcomes distinguished ultramarathoners to open an inspirational talk not just for runners—but for anyone who loves powerful human stories and invite you to gather for a special evening of storytelling in the heart of the village square, beneath the old plane tree. On Saturday, June 14 at 7:00 PM, among the speaker is Dean (Konstantinos) Karnazes, ranked amongst the top 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine; Georgia-Jo Manta, a prominent figure in Greek endurance running and holder of the best Spartathlon performance by a Greek female; and Yiannis Dimopoulos, long-distance running coach, founder of Dimopoulos Coaching, and race director of the Vamvakou Mountain Run. Together, they’ll share personal insights, experiences, and vivid moments from their running journeys—giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of ultra-distance races. The discussion will be moderated by Maria-Stella Xenaki, runner, Spartathlon finisher, and author. And after the talk? A hearty pasta party awaits all participants—because nothing brings runners together like a good plate of carbs!
Meet the Speakers
Dean Karnazes is one of the world’s most celebrated ultramarathoners and was ranked by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet. He has completed endurance races on all seven continents—including a marathon at the South Pole in -40°C temperatures and the grueling 217-kilometer Badwater Ultramarathon across Death Valley, where the heat soared to a blistering 50°C. Dean is a living testament to the extremes of human endurance.
Georgia-Jo Manta is a leading figure in the world of endurance running and a true trailblazer for female ultrarunners. She holds the best ever performance by a Greek female at the legendary Spartathlon. Among her many accolades: 2nd place at the 217km Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, 1st place in the 100-mile ROUT in Rodopi, and numerous national and international achievements. Her story continues to inspire countless athletes to push beyond their limits.
Ioannis Dimopoulos is a seasoned long-distance running coach and the founder of Dimopoulos Coaching, guiding athletes of all levels across a wide range of distances. An accomplished ultrarunner himself, he has earned multiple distinctions in extreme endurance events. He is also the author of Decoding Ultramarathons and the central figure in the inspirational book The Power of “I Can”, both exploring the mindset behind human potential and resilience.