ATHENS – The Authentic Marathon Swim is reborn and returns for the 3rd consecutive year July 1-3 at Artemision. Amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad will have the opportunity to enjoy, with absolute safety, the historic sports event at Pefki, Evia in the Municipality of Istiea – Edipsos.

Take part in the authentic swimming route

After last year’s event with world-class names, and after 2,500 years, the authentic 14.5km route “Skylias & Hydna” revives once again allowing swimmers from around the world to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision that took place in 480 BC, for the first time. Athletes will follow the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers,” according to the Father of History Herodotus (8.8) and other historians, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The swimmers will cover 80 stadia or 14.5km. The demanding route will be held at the straits of Artemision, between Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia, and Fthiotida.

The Authentic Marathon Swim’s teaser video is available online:

Special Offers until May 10

Participants can now register and take part in the impressive open water swimming routes of 14.5km, 10km, 5km, 3km, and 1.5km, taking advantage of the early bird prices. Offers are valid until May 10 with and up to 25% off discount. All citizens of Istiea-Edipsos and people with disabilities can take part in the 5km, 3km and 1.5km routes, completely free of charge. Registration for the 500m children’s race is free. The routes of 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 500m. have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point. Register online now: https://bit.ly/3jRw20t.

In the context of the event’s 3rd year, Mayor Ioannis Kontzias of Istiea-Edipsos stated: “Our Municipality, despite the difficulties encountered from last year’s fires, is being reconstructed through sports tourism and the organization of the Authentic Marathon Swim, offering a motive to amateur and professional swimmers from all over the world, to travel again and visit the beautiful attractions of North Evia. Our event highlights the history and cultural heritage of this place. We look forward to welcoming you to unite the legend with history and to experience some unique moments again.”

Four awards at the Sports Marketing Awards

The event was recently distinguished in the most significant institution for the promotion of best sports marketing practices in Greece, the Sports Marketing Awards, receiving four awards. Specifically, the event won the Gold Award as a top event in the “Summer Sports” category, two Silver Awards in the “Most Innovative Use of Content Creators & Influencers” and “Individual Sports (Swimming)” categories, and a Bronze Award in the “Sports Tourism” category.

All routes of the Authentic Marathon Swim have been designed by the swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games and world open water swimming championships, Nikos Gemelos. The event, prioritizing the absolute safety of its athletes, will provide once again everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes is mandatory. For each participant in the 14.5km and 10km routes there will be an escort-boat and its cost is included in the registration price.

The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos, while ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its Sports Production.

The event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim will once again transfer this year’s unique images and the exciting moments that all participants will experience in the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos on social media.

More information is available online: www.authenticmarathonswim.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthenticMarathonSwim

Instagram Page: www.instagram.com/authenticmarathonswim

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/themarathonswim

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxMgl-j5wgosL10lyRay5Q.