ATHENS – The Messinian land constitutes a special and historic place for the Greek Revolution of 1821. It is a region where some of the most important battles were fought, such as the battle of Sphacteria, in Niokastro, the battle of Maniaki, in which the Greek hero Papaflessas died, but also the naval battle of Navarino which essentially ended the war and marked the liberation of Greece, resulting in the establishment of the modern Greek state.

Run Messinia is an ultramarathon race of a total distance of approximately 421 kilometers, a tribute to the important events and unforgettable battles of the heroes of 1821. At the beginning of March 2021, during the “Run for Freedom” edition, 10 runners will attempt to run 10 long distances, in 10 days, crossing historical places and monuments of Messinia, which are related to the Greek revolution.

10 Runners – 10 Marathons in Total – 10 Days

Every day, a total of 10 runners will participate in each race. The ambassador of the Run Messinia – Run for Freedom will be the remarkable Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes, one of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to TIME magazine. Karnazes will run all 10 races, in 10 consecutive days. At this point, we should note that many American volunteers fought heroically alongside Greeks during the Greek Revolution.

In the context of his participation in this historic ultramarathon, Karnazes stated: “As a proud Greek-American, it is a great honor to be part of this historic undertaking which recognizes and celebrates Greek independence on this momentous 200-year anniversary. The run will not be easy, though neither was the Greek fight for freedom.”

Maria Polyzou, the Greek running champion, born in Patras, who won the First Gold Medal in the Balkan Marathon race, competed in the marathon at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, holds the Greek record for women in the Marathon (2:33:40), completed the Pheidippides Feat Athens-Sparta-Athens 524km run and eventually became an endurance running coach, said about this project, “This is an event that honors the great war of 1821. It is very important that the Greek revolution will be recognized by a race like the ultramarathon and that we will honor the cities from which the revolution began in our own way. I wish you good luck in the event. I am by your side.”

We Honor History by Running

Runners will cross historical places and monuments of Messinia, which are related to the Greek Revolution of 1821. (Photo: Run Messinia)

The region of Messinia led the Greek War of Independence, with leaders and politicians originating from this specific area, while their descendants still play a leading role in the political and social life of Greece. Messinia contributed with a number of warlords and fighters who were part of the Filiki Eteria “Friendly Society” including Theodoros Kolokotronis, Grigorios Dikaios or Papaflessas, Nikitaras, Anagnostaras, Papatsonis, and many more.

The event honors these great heroes of 1821 who led the fight for the liberation of Greece. The greatest moment in the history of Messinia and especially for Kalamata was the liberation of the city on March 23, 1821, by the Greek chiefs, with the assistance of the fighters from Mani under the leader Petrobey Mavromichalis.

In collaboration with the world-famous Peloponnesian ultramarathon runner, Karnazes, the event highlights the values of the heroes who covered long distances on foot with great vigor and self-denial in order to fight and move from city to city, comparing these values with the ones that we find today in the long-distance running. After all, running is a sport that was born in Greece. A long-distance race demands much more from the athlete than the shorter distance races, not only physically but mainly psychologically and mentally. This race, taking place in the mountains offers the athlete the opportunity to experience situations that no other road race can offer. The challenge is great, but so is the reward.

In Run Messinia, each athlete competes not only with other runners, but also with the mountain and nature itself, as well as his own personal boundaries. The event came to highlight the importance of overcoming adversities and never quitting, values synonymous with those of the 1821 Revolution and Greek History in general. As the athletes consider it impossible to achieve the 10 long distances within 10 days, similarly, people considered the result of the Revolution historically impossible.

421km Run in the Messinian Land

During the Navarino Challenge 2015 at Costa Navarino in Romanos, Greece. (Photo by Vladimir Rys)

The event aims to highlight the history and feature both culturally and touristically all the areas associated with the Greek Revolution in Messinia. The starting point of “Run for Freedom” will be Areopoli. Runners will have the opportunity to pass through historical places of Messinia such as Kardamyli, Verga, Kalamata, Nedousa, Poliani, Skala, Neochori, Katsarou, Solaki, Meropi, Loutro, Diavolitsi, Kallirroi, Ramovouni, Maniaki, Kato Minagia, Koroni, Methoni, Neokastro, the village of Kremmidia, Schinolakka, Paleokastro, and finish at the historic Pylos.

Messinian ultramarathon runner Vassilis Koumanakos, who has completed the “Marathon de Sables” 260km race in the Sahara desert, said about his participation in Run Messinia, “It is a special honor to run in the footsteps of great warriors and visit their dens, which were the strongholds of the Greek national liberation war of ’21. What we will remember is that FREEDOM is not just a word in our national anthem, but it is a situation for which we must fight every day. And this struggle determines our Fate.”

Participations in the race will be by invitation only, while very few spots will open to the public. The event will be held in accordance with the strict health protocol and the approval of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

The teaser video of Run Messinia can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/JWVipmMfSiE

More information is available online:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RunMessinia 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/runmessinia 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunMessinia  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpr_FZLkBHWaaXMsQIx2rFQ

Hashtags: #runmessinia #runforfreedom