Coast to Coast Race 2026

"Ierápetra, we have a problem!" 🚀 Rest assured, unlike Apollo 13, the only risk here is ending up with stars in your eyes and a bit of Cretan dust on your cheeks 💫. We invite you at the end of March for a challenge that would make the Labors of Hercules look like a simple stretching session 🏛️. The Coast to Coast is the ultimate adventure that invites you to connect the north and south of the island in record time ⏱️. We talk about an epic crossing of Crete, starting from the north coast at Pachia Ammos to reach the south at Ierápetra, the southernmost city in Europe🌍.

On the menu, the chef offers formats for all legs 🦵: the Half-Marathon (21.1 km) that slices through the isthmus end to end, an explosive 5 km for speed enthusiasts 💥 or hikers, and a kids' race so future champions can also taste glory 🎢. We cross the island's narrowest isthmus where the land seems to want to merge with the sea 🌊. The profile? It's a road, but with a soul 🦴. Between the deep blue of the Aegean Sea at the start and the Libyan Sea at the finish 🏁, you discover a side of Greece 🇬🇷 that tourists in sandals and socks will never see 🦶.

We run in the landscapes of Zorba the Greek, but in fast-forward mode 🎬. No need to dance the sirtaki at the finish 💃, but the atmosphere in Ierápetra might make you want to break a few plates in joy 🍽️. The race is legendary for its straight-line route cutting the land between two imposing mountains. ⛰️ It's pure, it's mineral, and it's incredibly rewarding when you finally see the blue horizon after swallowing the kilometers of asphalt 🌅.

The race's DNA also includes what happens after the finish line 🥙. Once you've showered 🚿, enjoy local flavors: the olive oil from Crete is reputed to be one of the best in the world, and you'll quickly see why 🫒. Between family excursions playing Indiana Jones in the surrounding gorges 🏞️, we settle on the terrace to savor dakos or a frappé coffee by the port. ☕ You don't need to be an Olympic god to participate, but a good pair of legs and a steely mind will be your best allies. ⚡ The Coast to Coast is more than a foot race, it's a straight line to your own legend 👑.

So, are you ready to become the next modern-day marathoner? 🔥