ROUTE OF OLYMPIC TRUCE 2020 - Ήλιδα - Ολυμπία: To Μονοπάτι της Εκεχειρίας

ROUTE OF OLYMPIC TRUCE 2020

In an atmosphere of enthusiasm, emotion, fellowship, respect for fellow participants and solidarity, while fully observing the health protocol, the activities of the Federation of Olympia in Ilia for the “Route of Olympic Truce 2020” were successfully completed on Sunday, August 30.

Despite the extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, athletes from all over Greece as well as from abroad walked the 50 kilometers of the “Route of Truce”, from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia.

It is recalled that the “Route of Olympic Truce” had initially been scheduled to take place on March 8, led by Japanese marathon runner Minori Hayakari and world champion in Tae Kwon Do Maria Karpathaki, aiming to honor the host country of the Olympic Games as well as International Women’s Day, which coincided with that date.

However, the lockdown that was imposed resulted in the postponement of the Route of Truce by five months.

The runners set off early on Sunday morning (30.08) at 05:45, from the entrance of the Old Museum of Ancient Ilida. They passed through the villages of Dafni, Keramidia, Dafniotissa, Peristeri, Cheimadio, Sopi, Karatoula, Magoula, Latzoi, Herakleia, Pournari, Pelopio and Platanos, and arrived at the Old Town Hall of Ancient Olympia, where the award ceremony also took place.

The “Route of Olympic Truce 2020” takes place along the ecotourism route of the “Route of Truce”, has no competitive character, and runners who completed the 49.8 km route are awarded unique numbered medals. This year’s medals were designed by the distinguished sculptor Evangelos Moustakas (creator of the equestrian statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki and the sculpture of the Fall of Icarus in Karaiskaki Square in Athens).

This year, the route was led by professor and runner Aristea Nikolopoulou from Patras, with numerous distinctions in Greece (national marathon and cross-country championships) as well as internationally. Faithful to the annual appointment with the Route of Truce, Ms. Nikolopoulou has participated continuously in the event since 2016.

In all the villages along the route, the runners received the warmest hospitality from the local residents, who once again offered local delicacies, wishing to demonstrate that the philosophy of “Xenios Zeus” continues to live on in the land that gave birth to the Olympic Games.

ROUTE OF OLYMPIC TRUCE 2020 (10′)