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You will make your heart race in Greece! ๐ฌ๐ท Come in October, set your sights on Santorini, that iconic Greek island in the Cyclades, famous for its bustling tourism... and its mass start in the Santorini Experience race! Youโll find yourself in the town of Fira, the capital of Santorini, kicking off at a landscape that feels straight out of a postcard ๐.
Set against this stunning backdrop: blue rooftops, whitewashed walls, volcanic landscapes, dizzying cliffs... you've arrived in Greece for the Santorini Experience ๐ . The event offers 3 trails and an open water swim race ๐. For trail enthusiasts, you have options: 5, 10, or 15 kilometers over a loop starting from Oia and passing through Imerovigli and Firostefani. These trails offer breathtaking views of the caldera of Santorini. STOP! โ A cultural pause: What exactly is a caldera? ๐ค Well, it's a large, flat-bottomed volcanic crater surrounded by cliffs ๐ง. On Santorini, it formed 3,600 years ago, outlined by the various islands of the archipelago ๐๏ธ. Now that you're in the know, keep your eyes peeled ๐ to spot where the ancient summit might have been right in the middle of the islands ๐. If you're up for swimming in this maritime trench, opt for the open water course covering 2.4 km from Thera to the historic old port of Fira ๐โโ๏ธ. Surrounded by these towering volcanic walls ๐ตโ๐ซ, you'll quickly understand what it means to feel small in the face of nature's forces ๐.
After crossing the finish line, don't rush back home โ๏ธ. Santorini is one of the world's top travel destinations, and visiting in October means you'll skip the summer crowds while still enjoying ideal temperatures ๐ก๏ธ. After the race, wander through the alleys of Oia or Fira, savor an iced coffee at a terrace cafรฉ, book a sunset cruise around the caldera ๐, try scuba diving to explore the volcanic seabed ๐คฟ, or take a Greek cooking class ๐ฅ. And recovery? Here, it's a sacred ritual ๐. The Mediterranean diet, recognized by Unesco as a cultural heritage of humanity ๐, will be your best ally to replenish your energy โก๏ธ. Indulge in Moussaka, Greek salad, grilled Souvlaki, Tzatziki or Pita Gyros: each bite will be a well-earned reward ๐ช
So, are you ready to take on the volcanic trails with the prowess of an Olympic Greek athlete? ๐๏ธ
For the 10 km course, you start with a slight descent, then it climbs quite steeply for a good kilometer. The path becomes a bit narrower and rocky, just be careful where you step. Then, you descend until km 2.5, where there is a first aid station. You go back up onto the road for 600 m, then you find a slightly slippery trail, with a steep climb but a great view ๐. Stay well to the left. At km 3.8, you arrive at the chapel. Then, it goes downhill to the second aid station (km 4.5), then another 500 m to the turnaround point ๐.
The return is the same, except after km 6: you take a road to the right before the chapel, then you find the path again around km 7. Just before km 8.5, there is a very short but very steep climb โฌ. After that, it's all downhill to the finish! ๐ค
The races will start at Oรญa, ฮฯฮณฮฟฯฯฮฌฯฮนฮฟ ฮฯฮฑฮปฮฌฯฯฯฮทฯ, on October 11, 2025:
5 km: 11:00 AM
10 km: 8:15 AM
15 km: 8:15 AM
The open water swim will start at Thera, Santorini Old Harbor, on October 10, 2025:
2.4 km Swim: 9:30 AM
5 km: โฌ35
10 km: โฌ40
15 km: โฌ45
2.4 km: โฌ50
You can check the race rules here
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