ROUTE OF TRUCE 2026
ROUTE OF TRUCE 2026 – SUNDAY 26th OF APRIL 2026
Runners from 16 Countries Took Part in the Route of Truce
50 kilometres from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia
A Powerful Message from the Land that Gave Birth to the Olympic Value of Truce
Three Days of Events, for the 11th Year, in Ilida and Olympia
In an atmosphere of enthusiasm, fellowship, respect and emotion, the three-day events of the Federation of Olympia AMKE in Ilia for the Route of Truce 2026 were successfully completed on Sunday, for the 11th consecutive year.
Runners from all over Greece, as well as from 16 countries, covered the 50 kilometres of the Route of Truce Trail, from Ancient Ilida, the organizing city of the ancient Olympic Games, to Ancient Olympia, the place where the Games were held.
The runners started on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 05:45 in the morning, 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, Irakleia, Pournari, Pelopio and Platanos, and finished at the Old Town Hall of Ancient Olympia, where the award ceremony also took place.
As every year, approximately 500 runners from Greece and abroad took part in the Route of Truce 2026. This year, runners participated from Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Ukraine, China, Romania, Venezuela, Mexico, Bulgaria, Moldova, Bosnia, Spain, Sweden and Türkiye, powerfully conveying the message of Peace as its “messengers”.
The Route of Truce 2026 was held along the Eco-touristic Route Ilida – Olympia: the Route of Truce Trail. It was not competitive in nature, and the runners who completed the 50 km route were awarded unique numbered medals.
This year, the peace walk was led by runner and author Mr. Giorgos Pantazopoulos.
Present at the event were: Member of Parliament for Ilia Dionysis Kalamatianos; the Director of the Office of MP Michalis Katrinis and representative of the Office of MP Andreas Nikolakopoulos; Deputy Regional Governor Theodoros Vasilopoulos; Municipal Councillor Konstantinos Koutroubis, representing the Mayor of Ilida; Deputy Mayor of Ancient Olympia Antonis Chrysanthakopoulos; S. Sampsounis from the Ilia Chamber of Commerce; Olympic wrestler Maria-Louiza Vryoni; world champions Maria Christoforidi in Weightlifting and Maria Karpathaki in Taekwondo; the Forestry Officer of Pyrgos, Mr. P. Lattas; and others.
In all the villages along the route, the residents and volunteers of the Route of Truce once again showed that the spirit of “Xenios Zeus” still lives in the land that gave birth to the Olympic Games, generously offering local delicacies to the runners this year as well.
The Three-Day Events
The three-day events held within the framework of the Route of Truce began on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa and were completed on Sunday with the Route of Truce from Ilida to Olympia.
Specifically:
The Route of Kleosthenis, from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia, a 5 km race in honour of Kleosthenis, King of Ancient Pisa, who, together with Iphitos of Ilida and Lycurgus of Sparta, established the institution of Truce.
Runners from Greece and from 11 countries abroad — Sweden, Moldova, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Uganda, Kenya, Taiwan, El Salvador, China and Lebanon — started on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa. They ran past the tombs of the Hellanodikai, the Temple of Demeter Chamyne, in front of the International Olympic Academy, alongside the ancient Stadium of Olympia, and finished at the entrance of the Town Hall of Ancient Olympia.
The first three women were:
Konstantina Tsoukala
Karolina Pietraszek, Poland
Georgia Klironomou
The first three men were:
Ilias Giannikopoulos
Nathan Mayega Mukasa, Uganda
Frayuri Bai, China
The event was held with the decisive contribution of the Supreme Sports Council of the Armed Forces (A.S.A.E.D.). Present were the President of the Municipal Community of Pisa, Sofoklis Sofianopoulos; the Deputy Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Antonis Chrysanthakopoulos; Olympic wrestler Mrs. Maria-Louiza Vryoni; and four-time world champion in Weightlifting, Mrs. Maria Christoforidi.
At the award ceremony area, an information stand operated by the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions, distributing informational material and souvenirs.
The Route of Ifitos took place on Saturday afternoon in Ancient Ilida. Primary and lower secondary school children participated. The young runners started from the square of Ilida and finished at the modern theatre of Ancient Ilida, in a 2 km race. All children were honoured with medals and souvenirs.
Special distinctions were awarded to the first boy and girl in each category:
Primary School:
Alkistis Angelatou, 3rd Grade
Dimitris Zounos, 6th Grade
Lower Secondary School:
Michalis Kalogeropoulos, 1st Grade of Lower Secondary School
Chrysa Kalogeropoulou, 3rd Grade of Lower Secondary School
The children were welcomed and awarded their medals by Olympic wrestler Mrs. Maria-Louiza Vryoni, world champion in Weightlifting Mrs. Maria Christoforidi, and Taekwondo world champion and #BEACTIVE ambassador Mrs. Maria Karpathaki.
The Opening Ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in Ancient Ilida.
In her address, the President of the Federation of Olympia AMKE, Sofia Hintziou-Kontogianni, stated, among other things:
“Today, as Greece and the international community are experiencing conditions similar to those that led Iphitos, King of Ilida, to seek guidance from the Pythia, asking how the Greeks could achieve concord — receiving the prophetic exhortation ‘to renew the Olympic Games’ — today, more than ever, the implementation of Truce as an Olympic value is necessary. We must remember what unites us and not what divides us. Truce must be brought to the forefront, and respect for it must become — as it was in antiquity — a prerequisite for participation in the modern Olympic Games as well.”
In her greeting, the President of the Municipal Council of Ilida, Mrs. Theoni Georgopoulou, thanked the organizers and the runners for their participation. She emphasized the universal character of the Olympic Truce, which today appears more relevant than ever, highlighted the invaluable importance of Ancient Ilida on the global cultural map, and stressed that the effort of the Federation of Olympia must be further strengthened, as it expresses the values of Olympism, which were born in this land.
The President of the Local Community of Ilida, Mr. Christos Gourdoubas, referred to the value of Truce as a prerequisite for peace and underlined the role of Ancient Ilida in its promotion.
The Opening Ceremony concluded with a concert by Sidorela Sindy and Stavros Nathanael, who energized the runners and participants with traditional and folk dances.
Present at the Opening Ceremony were the President of the Municipal Council of Ilida, Mrs. Theoni Georgopoulou; the President of the Local Community of Ilida, Christos Gourdoubas; the Culture and Promotion Advisor of the Municipality of Ilida, Magda Christodoulopoulou; Olympic wrestler Mrs. Maria-Louiza Vryoni; world champion in Weightlifting Mrs. Maria Christoforidi; Taekwondo world champion Mrs. Maria Karpathaki; presidents of local cultural associations; runners; and a large audience.
Local delicacies were offered to attendees by the Cultural Associations of Ancient Ilida, Kalyvia of Ilida and Fileas of Augeias, as well as by the Association of School Cleaning Staff of Ilia.
All events were organized by the Federation of Olympia AMKE, with co-organizers the Region of Western Greece, the Municipalities of Ilida, Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia, and the Supreme Sports Council of the Armed Forces (A.S.A.E.D.). The International Olympic Truce Centre participated as a cooperating support body, with the support of the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE.
The events were held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence; Education, Religious Affairs and Sports; Rural Development and Food; and Tourism; the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO); the International Military Sports Council (CISM); the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC); the International Olympic Academy (IOA); the National Olympic Academy of Greece; the Association of Olympic Games Participants; and the Hellenic Olympians Association.
Volunteer support was provided by the Hellenic Red Cross, Corps of Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards of the Amaliada Regional Department; the Hellenic Red Cross, Pyrgos Regional Department; the 1st Scout System of Ilioupoli; E.O.PY.D. Vrachneika; S.E.DI.P. of Western Achaia; Olympia Runners; and Run Amaliada.
Media sponsors included ERT, ERT3, ERT Pyrgos, ERA Sport 101.8, ERT News Radio 105.8, PSAT, Running News.gr, OVI and apopseis.gr.
In our effort to keep alive the history and values of our land, we wish to thank our supporters for their contribution and assistance, which greatly supports the promotion and achievement of our purpose.
Main Supporter: TURBOMED – Yiannis Paraskevopoulos.
Official Supporters: THEONI Natural Mineral Water, AVANCE car rental, Karavias Art Insurance.
Supplier-Supporters: Olympia Odos, GAIAOHOS CAPITAL S.A., Xenia – The Hospitality Experience, Ktima Brintziki, X-TREME STORES, BARAT biscuits, DOLE, the Panegialios Union of Cooperatives, the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS), Kalomoiris ILVIGAL, Fargeco Hellas, PANINI FOODS, Karnaros Bakery and Bioilis Organic Products – Olive Oil Trade.
The organizers warmly thank the Hellenic Police for the coordination and safe conduct of the actions, the National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAV), as well as the Presidents of the Local Communities, the Cultural Associations and the residents of all the Local Communities along the Route of Truce Trail, for the excellent hospitality they offered to the runners of the Route of Truce 2026.
