Vamvakou Mountain Run 2022

Sunday July 3, 2022 – Vamvakou, Lakonia

A unique mountain run will take place the first Sunday of July on the slopes of Mount Parnon at Lakonia, that will start from and finish at the village of Vamvakou. The sport event is being realized for a second time by Vamvakou Revival, within the framework of the initiative for the revival of the village with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

This year, the race forms part of the three-day Experience Festival 2022, where up to 600 runners will meet up at the village of Vamvakou. The event Vamvakou Mountain Run 2022 includes two routes a) one of 28 kilometers and b) one of 7 kilometers & relay races. The run does not have a competitive profile, however official electronic timing will apply so that the runners can be informed of their performance. The runners will follow the trails of Vamvakou and finish at the village. The purpose of the event is to bring out the natural wealth of the wider area and encourage participation in activities and events in nature, giving the chance to visitors to get acquainted with the lush green trails of Mount Parnon and live the experience of Vamvakou.

Those interested are invited to register at this website. A symbolic participation fee of 5 Euros applies; the total amount collected will be offered in support of the protection of the wider area of Vamvakou against fires.

It should be noted that Vamvakou Mountain Run does not have a competitive profile, but aims at rewarding participation, achieving familiarization with mountain running and boosting a sports culture. However, official timing will apply on both races, of 28 km and 7 km respectively. Moreover, at 17:00, the closing ceremony of the Run will take place where medals will be awarded to the first three winners of the general rank of each race for both Men and Women. A big concert with Gadjo Dilo will follow.

On July, 3, as well as on previous days, a series of activities for the whole family will be taking place in the village within the framework of Vamvakou Experience Festival. Check out the detailed programme of the three-day festival.

Organized by: Vamvakou Revival

Supervised by: Ioannis Dimopoulos

With the support of: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)

28 km route – Altitude +1400 m.

The race will be conducted at Sunday July, 3 2022, with starting time at 9:30 o’clock at Vamvakou-Lakonia, at the village entrance, “Stathmos Sygkiniseos” [Emotion Station]

Right to participate: Individuals over 18 years old, in other words born before 03/07/2004, have the right to participate in the race. Participants must be in good physical condition and need to register via this webpage.

See more details about the race and find the registration form here!

7 km route – Altitude +350 m. & relay race

The races will be conducted on Sunday July, 3 2022 with starting time at 10:00 o’clock at Vamvakou-Lakonia, at the village entrance, “Stathmos Sygkiniseos” [Emotion Station]

See more details about the race and find the registration form here!

How to get to Vamvakou

By your own vehicle, see the route here!

The event will provide participants with free transport by bus from Athens and Kalamata and in-between stops at Corinth, Tripoli and Sparti. The itineraries will be announced soon. Fill in the option for the bus transport in the registration form.

Technical information

The race pack can be picked up only from the administration desk of the Run operating at Stathmos Sygikiniseos [Emotion Station] on Sunday July, 3 from 7:30 to 9:00. To better attend you, please bring along the email mentioning your BIB number, either in print or electronic format.

The technical description of both races of VAMVAKOU MOUNTAIN RUN will be realized on Sunday July, 3 at 9:00 at the starting point.
Participants must be at the starting point of the race at least half an hour before the scheduled starting time.

If you wish to store your personal belongings before the start, there will be a space set up by VAMVAKOU MOUNTAIN RUN for this purpose, near the starting point. The particular bag must be handed over the latest by 9:00 and will be returned to you, after finishing, by representatives of the event by demonstrating your BIB number.

Time limit for the conclusion of the race

For the 28km run, a cut-off limit has been set at the 21st kilometer of the route, at the Sparti Refuge. Any athlete reaching that point 5:30 hours after the start of the race is disqualified and will be taken to the finish by vehicles of the organizer, as indicated by the judge in charge. If this athlete decides to continue, he/she must be very familiar with the mountain, bear in mind that he/she is running at his/her own risk and be aware of the fact that signage will be lacking as the sweeper of the race will be collecting additional signage. Athletes who are dropping out for any reason must inform the judge at the nearest check point. The time limit for the long route is set at 7 hours, ending at 16:30. Athletes finishing after this time are disqualified.

The time limit for the 7km route is set at 3 hours, ending at 13:00. Athletes finishing after this time are disqualified.

BIB number of runners

The BIB number of each athlete must be visible at all times, throughout the race and upon the finish.

Medical services

Full medical support will be provided by First Aid Ambulance to provide first aid throughout the Run. In any case, all runners are participating at their own risk, in accordance with the Participation Terms. Participants are recommended to proceed with medical exams before the race in order to ensure they are in good physical condition.

Safety measures

The safety of runners and spectators is of utmost importance to the organizing committee. We are collaborating with the Hellenic Police, the Road Traffic Police, the Hellenic Fire Service and the Red Cross of Sparti, the rescue team Etoimoklis and the Hellenic Rescue Team in order to ensure safety throughout our events. The organizer is supervising the routes, to the extent that this is possible, in order to avoid any unforeseen incident and provides medical assistance to athletes who might need it. The organizer can modify the routes in case of risks for the safety of the athletes. It might also delay the start of the race or even cancel or postpone the race due to bad weather or other reason of force majeure.

We would like to thank the Municipality of Sparti, the Forestry Service of Sparti, the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Fire Service.