Welcome
Welcome to ‘Thessaloniki International Half Marathon 2016’, offering the opportunity to runners to enjoy a beautiful and flat route along the coastline of Thessaloniki, where the enduring symbols of a glorious history are visible.
What: Half Marathon, 5k Street Running Race
Where
Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia (520 km. north of Athens)
When: Saturday, October 8th 2016
Why
Because it is the best way to combine running in a beautiful route and exploring one of the most interesting, exciting and historic cities. Thessaloniki's history spans some 2,300 years. An important metropolis by the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. In addition to its historic roots, Thessaloniki is also a very popular tourist destination in Greece. In 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Thessaloniki as the world's fifth-best party city worldwide, comparable to other cities such as Dubai and Montreal. For 2013 National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations the world over. It is also a very lively city with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and numerous attractions.
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 Thessaloniki including your entry to the race, to a full vacation plan in Thessaloniki and the surrounding area!
Moreover, we can offer you training plans, actual training in the streets and routes of Thessaloniki and of course we will run with you!
For more information and detail please call: +30 6978 524 433
Or email: info[@]www.runningreece.com
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Happy runs!
Races date: Saturday, October 8th 2016
Races: Half Marathon, 5km
Entry Fee: Your participation to the race is paid and secured by RunninGreece.
The participation includes the following benefits
Halfmarathon
- Sports backpack
- waterproof jacket
- wrag (headwear)
- technical t-shirt
- bib number
- timing chip
- finisher’s medal
- water, isotonic drinks, juice, energy gel and bars, banana
- medical services
- participation certificate (electronic)
5km
- Sports backpack
- waterproof jacket
- wrag (headwear)
- t-shirt
- bib number
- timing chip
- finisher’s medal
- water, juice, energy bar,banana
- medical services
- certificate of participation (electronic)
Registrations due date
Registration is open until Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 or until a specific number of applications is reached.
Event Schedule
Saturday, October 8th 2016
a)Halfmarathon (21,100m)-Starting time: 18.45
b)5km- Starting time: 21:15
Route
Start – Finish
a) Halfmarathon: starts at Navarchou Kountouriotou Str. (Thessaloniki Port Authority) and finishes at the White Tower
b) 5 km Race: Starts at the City Hall of Thessaloniki and finishes at the White Tower
Halfmarathon
The race starts at Navarchou Kountouriotou Str. (Thessaloniki Port Authority). The Halfmarathon route follows the streets: Navarchou Kountouriotou, Nikis Avenue, Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, 180-degree turn about at Georgiou Papandreou Avenue, Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, right turn in 3rd Septemvriou Str., left turn and entrance to Adronikou Str., Tsimiski, Politechniou, 180-degree turn and entrance to Karatasou Str, and Kountouriotou Str. At this point the runners complete the first round. Running the particular route twice, the runners finish at the White Tower.
5 km Race
The race starts at the City Hall of Thessaloniki (streets involved: Vasileos Georgiou and Tritis Septemvriou).The 5.000m. route follows the streets: Vasileos Georgiou Avenue, Andronikou, Tsimiski, Politechniou, Karatasou, Kountouriotou Avenue, Nikis Avenue, where the participants finish in front of the White Tower (the whole route runs in parallel with the Halfmarathon route, having the same finish, the White Tower).
Awards & Prizes
Medal Awards (medals and certificates) will be awarded to the first three winners of the general rank of each race for both Men and Women. Cups will be awarded only to the first Man and the first Woman of each race.
Souvenir medals will be given to all the runners who finish the race. The certificates of participation will be available on the official website.
The first 3winners of the general classification will be awarded:
| Half Marathon Race |
| Position |
Men |
Women |
| 1st |
500€ |
500€ |
| 2nd |
400€ |
400€ |
| 3rd |
300€ |
300€ |
The athletes who will be ranked in these positions are entitled to the prize funds only if they have achieved a record under 1:14.00 for Men and under 1:30.00 for Women.
The first three winners of the general classification of the 5.000m. Health and Power Walking Race will be awarded:
| 5Km Race |
| Position |
Men |
Women |
| 1st |
200€ |
200€ |
| 2nd |
150€ |
150€ |
| 3rd |
100€ |
100€ |
All the above funds - prizes of athletes are subject to 20% deduction, according to the Greek legislation.
Support Stations
Support stations will be available along the Half Marathon route (every 2.5km), as they are described in the race map.
Bottled water will be given to all athletes (Half Marathon, 5km.) at the start, the finish. There will be available water for the halfmarathon runners along the route. Isotonic drinks will be available for the Half Marathon runners at a support station of the route and at the finish. Bananas will be available for the Half Marathon runners at a support station along the route. Chemical toilettes will be available at the start, the finish and some of the support stations. Medical services will be providedat the start, the finish and all the support stations.
Kilometer Markers
There are Km-markers at every kilometer along the Half Marathon route.
Finishing time limit
The time limit for the Half Marathon is three hours (runners may finish until 21.45). The time limit for the 5km Health and Power Walking Race is 90 minutes (runners may finish until 22.45).
Electronic time control
The results of all races and the electronic time control will be conducted by an official cooperating company. Thus, all the runners should wear the bib numbers with the time control chips, which they will get at the Registration Center.
Carpets of electronic control and time check:
Half Marathon: at the start, at the reversal point at the end of Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, Politechniou Street (Courts) and the finish.
5.000m Health and Power Walking Race: at the start, Politechniou Street (Courts) and the finish.
Runners that don’t have electronic indication at the points referred above will be cancelled.
Health Coverage
In 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.
Simple Running Offer: from €60 »
BOOK NOW
The Simple offer is addressed to those who wish to come and stay in Thessaloniki on their own. This offer is ideal for those who want to experience Thessaloniki the “running way”, and get the most out of their visit in Thessaloniki. We have selected the ideal locations for you, and we will suggest you the ideal vacation plan.
It includes:
- your registration to the race and all the logistics of the race entry
- BIB number
- Timing Chip
- Commemorative Medal for participation
- Technical running t-shirt
- Sports backpack
- waterproof jacket
- wrag (headwear)
- technical t-shirt
- water, juice, energy bar,banana
- medical services during & after the race
- all the transportation to/from the starting line and your hotel in Thessaloniki (where needed)
- 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 Thessaloniki on their own. It includes all the logistics of the race entry, transportation to and from the starting line(where needed), 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 €95 per person for two days/one-night accommodation »
BOOK NOW
This offer is ideal for those who want to experience Thessaloniki the “running way”, and get the most out of their visit in Thessaloniki. We have selected the ideal locations for you, and we will suggest you the ideal vacation plan.
It includes:
- Hotel accommodation in Metropolitan Hotel*** (BB) or Vergina Hotel*** (BB) or equivalent hotel in Thessaloniki
- your registration to the race and all the logistics of the race entry
- BIB number
- Timing Chip
- Commemorative Medal for participation
- Technical running t-shirt
- Sports backpack
- waterproof jacket
- wrag (headwear)
- technical t-shirt
- water, juice, energy bar,banana
- medical services during & after the race
- all the transportation to/from the starting line and your hotel in Thessaloniki (where needed)
- 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 €95 per person (runner or not) for two days/one-night accommodation in Metropolitan Hotel*** (BB) or Vergina Hotel*** (BB) or equivalent hotel in Thessaloniki. If you wish to stay longer, you may add as many nights as you want for an additional €35 per night per person.
- The above (2days/1night) offer is per person, double occupancy.
Running Offer #2: from €105 per person for two days/one-night accommodation »
BOOK NOW
This offer is ideal for those who want to experience Thessaloniki the “running way”, and get the most out of their visit in Thessaloniki. We have selected the ideal locations for you, and we will suggest you the ideal vacation plan.
It includes:
- Hotel accommodation in Holiday Inn***** (BB) or Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki****(BB) or equivalent hotel in Thessaloniki
- your registration to the race and all the logistics of the race entry
- BIB number
- Timing Chip
- Commemorative Medal for participation
- Technical running t-shirt
- Sports backpack
- waterproof jacket
- wrag (headwear)
- technical t-shirt
- water, juice, energy bar,banana
- medical services during & after the race
- all the transportation to/from the starting line and your hotel in Thessaloniki (where needed)
- 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 €105 per person (runner or not) for two days/one-night accommodation in Holiday Inn***** (BB) or Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki****(BB) or equivalent hotel in Thessaloniki. If you wish to stay longer, you may add as many nights as you want for an additional €45 per night per person.
- The above (2days/1night) offer is per person, double occupancy
- In case you are interested for HB the price is €115 per person
Special Running Offer »
Get a Custom Quote
Please tell us all your requirements and preferences, how many days you want to spend in Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki.
Group Running Offer »
Get a Custom Quote
If 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 Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki is the largest city in Macedonia and the second largest in Greece. It is one of the Greek cities with the richest histories, and following the end of the First Balkan War has been considered the most influential city in Macedonia.
The enduring symbols of a glorious history are visible everywhere, such as White Tower, watching over the cafe-lined waterfront, erstwhile Ottoman hammams (Turkish baths), many turned into art galleries, and lengthy Byzantine walls culminating at the Ano Poli (Upper Town), an enchanting neighbourhood of colourful old houses, where little Byzantine churches peek from winding alleyways.
Thessaloniki is home to numerous notable Byzantine monuments, as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures. Thessaloniki’s grand-scale structures include the 5th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios, the enormous Roman Rotunda, and Roman Emperor Galerius’ 3rd-century palace ruins.
Navarino Square is considered the most vibrant square of Thessaloniki, where young people meet with many cafes and restaurants. Visitors can find the Galerius Palace complex with the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the palace. It is also worth visiting Agia Sophia, an UNESCO Heritage site. Visitors should not forget to take a walk at the recently renovated Thessaloniki Port with the Cinema and Photography Museum and dine at one of the plenty restaurants in Ladadika, the old oil market, and experience the unique Thessaloniki at its food markets.
Thessaloniki is famous for its intense nightlife and the countless entertainment choices it offers for every taste and at all hours and days of the week. In fact, the city is alive almost every night! Gastronomy, events, world-class heritage sites, shopping are some of the things that visitors can indulge in. The compact size of the city and the walking distance proximity of the top-attractions make Thessaloniki an ideal city-break destination.
