850 athletes from 33 countries so far in the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon

From 9 April to 9 May 2021 the race

The first Rhodes Virtual Marathon starts on Friday 9 April and will run until 9 May 2021. More than 850 runners from 33 countries around the world, from the UK, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Estonia, Finland to Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, USA, Australia and Canada have so far registered for the "digital version" of the Rhodes Marathon, the race that puts the Emerald Isle at the centre of global running interest, attracting athletes from the ends of the earth.

The course of the pandemic of the coronavirus Covid-19 in Europe and around the world combined with the strict sanitary protocols of the State and the need for the protection and safety of all athletes, as well as the contributors, do not make it possible to hold the International Marathon of Rhodes with the physical presence of athletes. For this reason, the organizing committee decided to organize a digital race, providing the opportunity for runners to take part in the great sporting celebration of Rhodes, running in any country of the world. The response of athletes and runners during the first two weeks that registration opened has been warm, which proves the global nature of the race.

Regarding the international participation in the first Digital Marathon of Rhodes, the President of the Organizing Committee & Vice President of the Dodecanese SEGAS, Marietta Papavassiliou states the following:

"The Rhodes Marathon is a sporting event of international importance. It attracts runners from all over the world, offering them the unique opportunity to run on a magnificent coastal route, next to important monuments of the island's rich cultural heritage. Can the pandemic of the virus Covid-19 does not allow the Marathon to be held in the physical presence of the athletes, but we maintain contact with the faithful friends of the race around the world, while expanding the circle of participants, with the digital version of the event, a solution that responds to the challenges of the times. This race is a race that each one of us does individually, responsibly and following all the rules of protection and hygiene, while remaining united together.

The first Rhodes Virtual Marathon we dedicate it to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of Antiquity, a symbol of freedom and independence, the supreme goods of humanity, in the hope of sending the light of hope to the whole world and we renew the appointment under the bright sky of Rhodes, on April 10, 2022.".

Registration for the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon will be completed on Wednesday, May 5 via the Sporthive Live/Rhodes Virtual Marathon app or the Rhodes Marathon website rhodesmarathon.gr. The race includes Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km, 5km and 2km road races. Everyone has the opportunity, with only one registration, to run as many times as they wish the distance they choose and improve their performance during the duration of the race. Those who choose the enhanced participation package at a cost of 10 Euros for participants from Greece and 20 Euros for participants from abroad, will receive the collector's medal that will be issued for the original event, as well as the T-shirt bearing the symbol of the Colossus of Rhodes! The simple participation package is free of charge and includes participation in the virtual race and results and an electronic participation diploma.

 Social purpose

Part of the proceeds of the race will be donated to the Rhodes General Hospital to cover the needs associated with the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Organising Committee of the Rhodes International Marathon supports the campaign to reduce the number of cases of Covid-19 disease by supporting the efforts of the Rhodes Island Hospital to achieve this goal. 

Organizers-Sponsors

-The 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon is organized by AMKE Rhodes Marathon, the EAS SEGAS Dodecanese, the Aegean Region and the DOPAR

-Big sponsors of the race are H Hotels Collection Group and Under Armour

-Hospitality Sponsor: Mitsis Grand Hotel

-Official sponsors: iStorm, Aegean Airlines, Blue Star Ferries, fibran, THREEsixty

From the press office