RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RACE INFO

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RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 Course Description

The course of RacingThePlanet: Greece takes competitors through the wildest areas of the Peloponnese with names that have a place in history, like Olympia and Sparta. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the name Peloponnese (Greek Peloponessos, a term first used in the archaic period) means "island of Pelops" and derives from the mythical king Pelops, who was believed to have unified the region.

The start of RacingThePlanet: Greece will be in Kardamyli, a charming village next to the beach at the south of Kalamata. Racers can even walk to town for a last meal before heading to Camp 1.

Each Stage of RacingThePlanet will be simply incredible. Below are some of the highlights competitors can expect to experience while traversing the Peloponnese region in Greece.

  • Stage 1 – From Sea to Summit. Competitors go through the narrow Koskaraka Gorge that will then ascend to Taygetus massif, the highest mountain in the Peloponnese.
  • Stage 2 – In the Footsteps of the Spartans. Race in the footsteps of the Spartans in an area surrounded by mountains and that was used to protect the Spartans against the enemies.
  • Stage 3 – The Heart of Greece. This area will give us the unique chance to enjoy the real life of the ancient olive farmers in areas that are not visited by tourists. We will use dust tracks, mountain trails and eventually old train tracks.
  • Stage 4 - Along the Train Tracks. Greece is not historically known for its trains but RacingThePlanet has located some abandoned train tracks in Peloponesse which racers will follow through this spectacular off the beaten track region.
  • Stage 5 – Around Epidaurus. Until this point, racers have been in Mani Peninsula, but we now change landscape and we move to Argolid, to the east. Racers will experience ancient caves and temples and a forgetten landscape until racers emerge to see the sea.
  • Stage 6 – Amazing Hydra. The last stage takes us to the incredible Island of Hydra which remains carless and is served only by boat, horse and donkey.

STAGE DISTANCES

RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 Stage Distances

MAP

 RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 Course Map

CHECKPOINTS

During each Stage, checkpoints are located approximately every 10 kilometers / 6 miles along the course. All checkpoints include shade, water for drinking (normally in a large bottle with a pump), and volunteers and medical staff to check competitors and offer support.

RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 Checkpoints

At each checkpoints competitors must:

  • Be checked-in on arrival by the race staff.
  • Leave with a minimum allocation of drinking water for the next section (in general this is 1.5 liters).
  • Listen and adhere to any instructions given by race staff. This could be related to anything including adverse weather conditions (strong winds, heat, cold etc.), visibility (rain, fog etc.) or anything else.

At each checkpoint competitors can:

  • Rest for a short period of time and take advantage of the shade that the checkpoint tent offers.
  • Seek medical advice and minor treatment, if appropriate, from the medical doctor stationed at each checkpoint.
  • Ask details about the distance, terrain and elevation of the next section of the course.

THE LONG MARCH

The Long March is a Stage where competitors complete a longer distance of approximate 80 kilometers / 50 miles which is nearly double the length of the standard Stages.
 
The Stage follows the same format as the previous Stages, with checkpoints located every 10 kilometers / 6 miles. However, there is a designated "Overnight Checkpoint" where there will usually be tents to rest / sleep in and also hot water available to prepare a hot meal or hot drinks. Competitors may follow highly reflective tape if required to navigate through the night. 

CUT-OFF TIMES

A cut-off time is the time by which you must have left a checkpoint.
 
There are cut-off times for every checkpoint on the course - these are announced in the morning briefing before the start of each Stage. The cut-off times are designed to help you finish, not to stop you from finishing the race.
 
While the leaders are extremely fast (finishing 40 kilometers / 26 miles in 3-4 hours) the cut-off times for the back of the field are based on a 4 km per hour / 2.5 miles per hour walking speed. This means completing a 40 kilometer / 26 mile stage in 10 hours.
 
Cut-off times for The Long March are based on a similar speed but with additional time allowed for a rest at the Overnight Checkpoint.