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RacingThePlanet Blogs 2025

Joe Garbellini

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RacingThePlanet (2025) blog posts from Joe Garbellini

29 September 2025 07:00 pm (GMT+02:00) Athens, Beirut, Istanbul, Minsk

Thanks again to everybody who has sent a message. I love reading them.
 
I had a good night sleep last night, helped by sleeping in the scout camp dorms, with a bed frame and springs to sleep on.
 
I enjoyed the early morning start when I got out of bed, sitting around having my coffee and meeting new people.
 
Today we completed stage 2 - In the Footsteps of the Spartans.
 
At the outset it looked like today was going to be an easier day (with only 1,000m of elevation), but it turned out not too easy.
 
To the first check point was fine, an easy climb to the highest point in the area.
 
The next downhill section was also easy and it looked like I would be done in good time today.  That was until we turned off the fire trails and into the forest.  The forest was very technical and it slowed me right down to 15 min ks.
 
We emerged from the forest and into a big town, where the 2nd checkpoint was. I refilled my water and then went through town.  It was at around this point that the rain and cold weather of the last 2 days were left behind and it was all of a sudden very hot. I stopped at a minimart and bought some chips, a nectarine and a fanta.  I ate and drank these as I went through the next section along a creek.
 
I emerged from the creek area into farmland.  Through here I ran with my tent mates Sean and Steve.
 
The section following the third checkpoint was brutal and involved a 500m climb over 10 kms. I was glad to reach tonight’s camp site.
 
Despite the challenges of today, I loved the scenery and enjoyed the day today.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Thomas Garbellini

Posted On: 29 Sep 2025 09:40 pm

Wow Dad, you're doing an excellent job. So proud. It's great to see the camaraderie amongst your tent mates. I hope the weather cools down again. Love Thomas
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28 September 2025 08:26 pm (GMT+02:00) Athens, Beirut, Istanbul, Minsk

Thanks to everybody who sent me a message, I loved reading them and love the support.

Good start to the run today.

Although I tossed and turned in the tent a fair bit last night, I still felt I had a good sleep.  We had rain throughout the night but it had cleared by the morning.

We were camping in Kandamyli, and this is where the run started this morning. Kandamyli is a gorgeous seaside town.

Once started, didn't  take long for us to be heading up out of town and into the hills and mountains.

Scenery was spectacular throughout.  Loved seeing and running through the quaint little towns scattered through the mountains.

We also ran up two gorges, which were technical and steep and climbing up through them slowed us down.  

At one stage, as I was heading up the 2nd gorge, I came across wild sage scattered on and around the path.

One of our tent mates, Sean, caught me with about 18 kms to go. We passed each other a few more times until he caught me with 3 kms to go.  We ran/walked the last 3 kms and finished together.

Overall we covered 38kms today with 2,000 metres of elevation.

Now at camp 2 in the mountains.  It is freezing up here.  We are at a scout camp so fortunately we are inside cabins rather than in the tents.

Looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Comments: Total (3) comments

Josephine Garbellini

Posted On: 29 Sep 2025 12:48 pm

Sounds like you’re loving every second! Thanks for the race blog. Here’s to many more great days; run relaxed and enjoy your poles 😉😘

David Fittler

Posted On: 29 Sep 2025 10:40 am

Great run Joe. We are enjoying watching your progress. A hilly technical first day by the looks. Great effort.

Sara Garbellini

Posted On: 29 Sep 2025 04:18 am

Yay nice blog Dad
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