Under the auspices of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Hellenic Olympic Academy and co-organised by the Municipality of Megisti – Kastellorizo, the 2nd Rock Solid trail running event is taking place as part of the sports activities to celebrate the Olympic Day 2023 on June 23, 24 and 25 in Kastellorizo.
At the southeastern edge of Greece, amateur and professional athletes and runners of all levels will have the opportunity to run in a landscape of unique beauty and geographical importance and enjoy the important landmarks of the island.
On the first day of the event, June 24th, the Kastellorizo 21K race takes place for the first time. The race starts from the picturesque port of Kastellorizo, with its impressive painted mansions and passes through the mountainous mass of the island, the Mounda region, following a network of natural paths as well as paved roads. The unique view of the island of Ro emerges, climbing the path to Paleokastro and completing the first 5 km of the route.
On top of the rock, the route passes by the monastery of Saint George of the Mountain, an area surrounded by huge natural slabs. It continues through the eerie rocky plateau past ancient winepresses and cisterns, Mycenaean tombs, cyclopean walls, old stone farmhouses, and abandoned Italian and British camps. The last kilometres of the route crosses the island at the roots of the red rock overlooking the “cord” of the port.
Because of the celebration of the Olympic Day 2023 in Kastellorizo and the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, the Olympic Flame will travel to Kastellorizo in early 2024, with the first Torchbearer being the first winner of the Kastellorizo 21K race.
There will be 10km, 5km and 1.3km races throughout the event.
This sports three-day event in Kastellorizo will be another step forward in the expansion of the promotion of sports to the youth of Greece under the motto Sports unite! Let’s move!
Seven Greek Olympic medalists and top athletes will travel to the island to share with children and adults experiences of competitions that have become life lessons, to give children the opportunity to know the Olympic values and to discover new sports such as sailing, water polo, athletics, weightlifting, tennis, etc. throughout the three days of sports.
These include:
- Viktor Mitru (Silver medal weightlifting – Sydney 2000)
- Giorgos Tzelilis (4th place weightlifting – Atlanta 1996)
- Nikos Skiathitis (Bronze medal rowing – Athens 2004)
- Giannis Tsillis (4th place rowing – London 2012)
- Aggelos Lemanis (World champion sailing in 2006)
- Anna Charalampidou (Water polo champion)
- Denise Panagopoulou (Tennis champion)