ATHENS – Santorini is making a dynamic comeback to the world of sports tourism this year, the ever-growing alternative form of tourism in Greece, bringing a new era to the Santorini Experience.

Thira Municipality is not simply hosting a major sporting event on the island of Santorini, as it intends to highlight the cultural wealth of a globally leading tourism destination, organizing Santorini Experience on September 23-25, after two years of the pandemic.

The history and culture of Santorini’s volcanic complex sparked the global interest in the 1980s and since then the island’s tourist movement began. People engaged in sports tourism always combine their participation in a sports event with a desire to find out the particular characteristics of the destination they are visiting.

This year, Thira Municipality, spotlighting the history and cultural wealth of the island, enriches the Santorini Experience for the first time with a half marathon, a very popular running route worldwide.

Daedalic Kore of Thira Half Marathon

The marble Daedalic Kore of Thira, a unique archaeological finding of supernatural size (2.30 meters, about 7.5 feet, in height and weighing about 750 kilograms, just over 1653 pounds), dating back to 640 BC, was found preserved in excellent condition at the site of Sellada in Ancient Thira, on November 24, 2000, by the late archaeologist Charalampos Sigalas. It highlights the vast history of Santorini and is placed chronologically and aesthetically in the era of the genesis of the monumental Greek sculpture. This remarkable sculpture, which will soon be exhibited to the world for the first time in the outdoor area of the Archaeological Museum of Thira, which is currently being renovated, gives its name to the first half-marathon run, which is held for the first time on the island. The Daedalic Kore of Thira Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, September 24, running across the enchanting areas of Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira.

The 1.5 miles L & E Nomikos Open Water Swimming route from the Volcano to Fira

In the most beautiful caldera in the world, created by the successive eruptions of Santorini’s volcano from prehistoric times to 1950, participating athletes will have the opportunity to swim in the unique 1.5 miles (2.4 km) L & E Nomikos open water swimming route in the Santorini Experience. The swimming event will be held on Sunday, September 25, starting from the volcano with its finish line at the old port of Fira, under the imposing view of the island. Watch some highlights from the amazing swimming route here: https://bit.ly/3OihmEi.

From this year, the swimming route is named “L & E Nomikos” in honor of the founders of the Loula & Evangelos Nomikos Foundation, established in 1979 by the shipowner Evangelos Nomikos, who adored the sea and his island. The construction of the cable car, which connects the city of Fira with the old port (Bay of Fira), the end point of the swimming route, is a pioneering project of the Foundation, which was completed 40 years ago and was put into operation as a great contribution and service to residents and visitors. At the same time, the cable car has benefited the entire island over time, since the Foundation’s income is used for great projects and the overall support of the community. It is a debt of honor in the memory of these great benefactors of the Municipality of Thira, to name this unique swimming route after them, from now on.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the event’s Official Water.

Santorini Experience takes place this year for the 6th year and is organized by the Municipality of Thira and the Sports Tourism department of ActiveMedia Group.

More information on new surprises at this year’s event, the opening of registration and special offers for access to Santorini, will be announced in the coming weeks at: www.santorini-experience.com.

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