With the support of the South Aegean Region and the Municipality of Rhodes (DOPAR) the 1st Virtual Marathon of Rhodes

The 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon, supported by the South Aegean Region and the Municipality of Rhodes through the Municipal Organization of Culture & Sports (DOPAR), started on Friday 9 April and continues until Sunday 9 May including Marathon, Half Marathon as well as 10 km, 5 km and 2 km road races.

Registration is already open via the Sporthive Live/Rhodes Virtual Marathon app or the Rhodes Marathon website rhodesmarathon.gr and will run until May 5, 2021.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues around the world, putting restrictions on mass sporting events, the Rhodes International Marathon, adapted to the data of the season, offering this year the opportunity to its friends and all runners to participate safely in the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon.

The primary concern of the organisers is to protect public health and support the implementation of state measures to limit the spread of Covid-19. The virtual race, allows anyone to run the distance they want in the city where they live and post their time on the Sporthive Live/Rhodes Virtual Marathon app. More than 1500 runners from over 40 countries have registered to date, demonstrating the international status of the race.

Marietta Papavassiliou-Chairman of the Organizing Committee

"For seven years now, the Rhodes Marathon has put the island at the centre of international running interest, attracting more than 3500 athletes from all over the world at the start of the tourist season.

The pandemic has created the need to modernise road races on public roads worldwide and the Rhodes Marathon could not but give its presence to this challenge. Due to the current conditions, it would not be possible to hold the race with the physical presence of the athletes on 18 April 2021, as originally planned. That is why we chose to organise a digital race. We are very happy that even with the help of technology, we are providing the opportunity for our marathon fans to run wherever they are in the world, taking part in the virtual version of the Rhodes Marathon. This race is done by each one of us individually, responsibly and following all the rules of protection and hygiene, but at the same time all together united. In this way, not only do we keep in touch with the global running community, but we promote our place through the internet and social media, which is one of our main objectives. The great response to our new venture, the participation of athletes from more than 40 countries so far, fills us with joy and optimism.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Regional Governor N. Aegean, George Hadjimarkos, the Mayor of Rhodes Antonis Kampourakis, the regional sports councillor Nikos Nikolis, and the Deputy Mayor of Culture & President of IOPAR, Alexandros Koliadis as they share our vision and actively support the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon, making the implementation of our new venture possible.", said the President of the Organizing Committee, Marietta Papavassiliou.

Nikos Nikolis-Deputy Regional Councillor for Sports

For the 1^ο Rhodes Virtual Marathon, the appointed Regional Councillor for Sport, Nikos Nikolis, said the following: "The South Aegean Region is the region of major sporting events. Important competitions in the Dodecanese and the Cyclades that attract athletes from all over the world and that promote our islands in international markets, are held with the co-organizer PNAI. The Rhodes Marathon is the biggest sporting event of Rhodes and the South Aegean in general. It was obvious to support the digital race, this new effort, which responds to the needs of the new era and the conditions caused by the pandemic of the coronavirus.".

Alexandros Koliadis - Deputy Mayor of Culture, President of IOPAR & PROTOUR

The Deputy Mayor of Culture & President of IOPAR, Alexandros Koliadis made the following statement for the 1^ο Rhodes Virtual Marathon: "Rhodes is an island that offers a wide range of tourist experiences to the visitor. It is now recognized as a sports tourism destination, mainly due to the International Marathon, an event that has attracted athletes from more than 50 countries around the world. The IOPAR supports with great pleasure this great sporting celebration of the island and the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon, a smart solution that responds to the current conditions and that has already been very popular among athletes in Greece and abroad, continuing to promote Rhodes.".

Social purpose

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

Organizers-Sponsors

-The 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon is co-organized by the 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, Three Sixty Marketing

From the Press Office