Welcome
Welcome to the "Kerkini Lake Run 2015", this wonderful biosphere host of 227 different kind of birds, a natural beauty, with high ecological significance and contribution to the agriculture production of the valley of Serres. Get ready to run and mostly enjoy this unique nature of the land.
What
Half Marathon, 5km race, 1.5km Kids Race
Where
Lake Kerkini, in the northeast of the district of Serres, 40km from the town of Serres and 100km from Thessaloniki
When: Sunday, 27th September 2015
Why
Because participants can enjoy the challenge of running in a unique environment, one of the most important heritage in Greece, with races for families, young and olds, people who really enjoy the raw nature, people with special interests such as agriculture and birds species but also people who want to experience the surrounding area and live like locals do.
How
Contact us and we will make you an unbeatable offer to suit your needs and preferences.
We offer several options varying from short weekend breaks in Lake Kerkini including your entry to the race, to a full vacation plan in Lake Kerkini and the surrounding area!
Moreover, we can offer you training plans, actual training in the streets and routes of Lake Kerkini and of course we will run with you!
For more information and detail please call: +30 6978 524 433
Or email: info[@]runningreece.com
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Happy runs!
Races date: Sunday, 27th September 2015
Races: Half Marathon, 5km race, 1.5km Kids Race
Entry Fee: Your participation to the race is paid and secured by RunninGreece.
The participation includes the following benefits- Participation diploma
- Commemorative t-shirt
- Commemorative medal
- Electronic timer
- Light lunch after the race with local food
Registrations due dateRegistrations will automatically close on Friday, 11th of September 2015
Event ScheduleSunday 27th of September
Start time of the Races: 09.45am
Starting Point: The race will start and finish at the east embarkment of the Kerkini Lake at the height of the A3 canal in the community of Chryssochorafa at the municipality of Serres.
Time limit: 3hours
Route: You can see the routes in the picture below
Health CoverageIn any case all runners participate solely at their own risk. The organizers have no responsibility for whatever happens to the runners related to health issues or is due to lack of preventive medical check. It is highly recommended that the participants undergo a thorough medical examination before entering the race. The organizers will not ask for medical certificates from any athlete (male and female), since they all participate at their own exclusive risk and responsibility (children are at the liability of their parents or guardians). We will also provide offers for special health checkup for all runners, and members of their families.
Electronic timingAll participants will be timed using an electronic timing system.
Award Categories- General Men and Woman
- Men 18-30 yrs old
- Men 30-45 yrs old
- Men more than 45 yrs old
- Women more than 18 years old
- Teams (3 athletes)
Awards & PrizesMedals and certificates will be awarded to the first three winners of each category of all the races. A commemorative medal and a diploma will be given also to all participants who manage to finish within the time limit.
Aid stationsThere will be several aid stations with volunteers providing water, isotonic drinks, snacks etc. Health personnel and specially trained volunteers will be there to support runners throughout the races.
Simple Running Offer: from €50 »
BOOK NOWThis offer is ideal for those who want to come to Kerkini Lake on their own and join the "Kerkini Lake Run 2015 2015”. The Simple Running offer includes the race registration and much more...
It includes- your registration to the race and all the logistics of the race entry
- technical running t-shirt
- special RunninGreece starting pack
- safe keeping of your belonging during the race
- many more like: tips and advice for the specific race, training schedule depending on your personal targets
The Simple offer is addressed to those who wish to come and stay in Kerkini Lake on their own. It includes all the logistics of the race entry, transportation to and from the starting line, tips and advice for the specific race, training schedule depending on your personal targets and safe keeping of your belonging during the race. If you really want to feel like a champion, we are here to support you!
Running Offer #1: from €90 per night per person »
BOOK NOWThis offer is ideal for those who want to experience Kerkini Lake the “running way”, and get the most out of their visit. We have selected the ideal locations for you, and we will suggest you the ideal vacation plan.
It includes- transporation to/from the starting line and your hotel in Kerkini Lake
- hotel arrangements in Lake Kerkini or the surrounding area in a 3star hotel
- your registration to the race and all the logistics of the race entry
- technical running t-shirt
- special RunninGreece starting pack
- safe keeping of your belonging during the race
- many more like: tips and advice for the specific race, training schedule depending on your personal targets
It starts from €90 per person (runner or not) per night for accommodation in a 3star or equivalent hotel. If you wish to stay longer in Kerkini Lake, you may add as many nights as you want for an additional €40 per night per person.
Special Running Offer »
Get a Custom QuotePlease tell us all your requirements and preferences, how many days you want to spend in Kerkini Lake, what other places you wish to visit and we will come back with a tailor-made offer specific for you! We can add trainings, running tours, car/bike rental, excursions, family activities and many more. In any case our offer will include the hotel arrangements, transportation to and from your hotel, participation to the race and all the logistics of the race entry, transportation to and from the starting line, tips and advice for the specific race, training schedule depending on your personal targets, safe keeping of your belonging during the race and suggested vacation plan for all the days that you will be in Kerkini Lake.
Group Running Offer »
Get a Custom QuoteIf you are a group of people, please tell us all your requirements, how many of you are running, what you like and what you do not like and we will come back with a tailor-made offer specific for you and your company! We can add trainings, running tours, car/bike rental, excursions, family activities and many more. In any case our offer will include the hotel arrangements, transportation to and from your hotel, participation to the race and all the logistics of the race entry, transportation to and from the starting line, tips and advice for the specific race, training schedule depending on your personal targets, safe keeping of your belonging during the race and suggested vacation plan for all the days that you will be in Kerkini Lake.
Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir that was created in 1932, and then redeveloped in 1980, on the site of what was previously an extremely extensive marshland.
Lake Kerkini is now one of, if not the, premier birding site in Greece, and, as it is situated along the migratory flyway for migratory birds en route to the Aegean Sea, the Balkan region, the Black Sea, the Hungarian steppes and beyond it experiences an interesting migration.
In the flat and semi-mountainous area, important hydrobiospheres are developing which are of great international significance and acceptance. The most essential hydrobiosphere is the one in Kerkini lake. It is a miracle of nature which came about by man's technical intervention on the natural characteristics of Strymon river. The water extent, which varies from time to time from 54 Km2 to 72 Km2, works out to be useful in two ways: as a technical work of great agricultural utility and as a hydrobiosphere for thousands of water fowls.
This wonderful biosphere is recouped by the International Convention of Ramsar and presents numerous admirable elements. Thousands of birds, both rare and protected, riverside forests, water-lilies in a large area, fish variety and fantastic panoramic view from the mountains of Belasica and Krousia give it a characteristic tone. Actually the lake hosts 227 kinds of birds, especially non-migrants. 76 of them are recorded in the National Red Catalogue, while at least 31 of them are protected by EEC's Directive concerning wild life.
What makes an exceptional presence is the buffalo's herd in the area, plus the one of the jackelo in the area of Kerkini lake. In the surrounding area of Kerkini lake there are at least 10 amphibian species (frogs, salamanders, tritons), five snail species, 19 reptile species (lizards, snakes, turtles) and a great variety of insects which play an important part in the food chain and contribute towards the biological resources of the lake.
A winter view of some tree at Kerkini lake The lake was created where Kerkini lake was by making embankments on the eastern and western sides and a dam was constructed near the village of Lithotopos, which started functioning in 1932. The main water provider of the lake is Struma River. Additionally, there is Kerkinitis river from Krousia that flows into the lake. After the construction of the dam, the form of the initial hydrobioshere changed completely. The human intervention usually retracts or takes negative action against the natural processes, Kerkini lake is a rare example, where the gentle human handling had the exact opposite result.
As time went by, the lake's capacity was reduced because of the substances that were washed up by Strymon river. So the rising of the embankments and the construction of a new dam was necessary, which was started operating in 1982.
Its natural beauty, its high ecological significance and its contribution to the agricultural production of the valley of Serres, act as a main promoter of well-being and development. It is worth visiting as well as making any possible effort to preserve its wealth.
