Runners from 25 countries participated in the Route of Truce 2025

/in /by

 

Runners from 25 countries took part in the Route of Truce,

50 kilometers, from Ancient Elis to Ancient Olympia

  • Today more than ever, applying the Truce as an Olympic Value is essential
  • Three-day events in the birthplace of the Olympic Games, highlighting the Truce that leads to peace

In an atmosphere of enthusiasm, fellowship, respect, and emotion, the three-day events of SYMPOLITEIA OLYMPIA (AMKE) in Elis for the “Route of Truce 2025” were successfully completed on Sunday, for the 10th year.

Runners from across Greece, as well as from 24 countries, walked the 50-kilometer Truce Trail from the host city of the ancient Olympic Games, Ancient Elis, to their sacred venue, Ancient Olympia.

The runners set off on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 05:45 a.m., from the entrance of the Old Museum of Ancient Elis. 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 awards ceremony took place.

Approximately 450 runners took part in the “Route of Truce 2025” from Greece and 24 countries (Albania, Venezuela, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Zambia, India, Spain, Italy, China, Lebanon, Moldova, Bhutan, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, the Philippines, Chile, and Hong Kong), powerfully conveying the message of Peace as its “messengers.”

The “Route of Truce 2025” took place along the eco-tourism route Elis–Olympia, the “Truce Trail.” It was non-competitive, and runners who completed the 50 km route received uniquely numbered commemorative medals.

This year, the Peace March was led by Alexis Xydis (from the Hellenic Red Cross—Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps of the Amaliada Regional Department, honoring through him the volunteer rescuers who have selflessly supported the Route of Truce for years—and often complete the route twice in order to stay close to runners and provide any assistance needed) and Kostas Chatzis (a permanent resident of the Netherlands, who has taken part in all ten editions of the Route of Truce, each year completing his own personal “Route of Truce” journey to travel from the Netherlands to Greece in order to participate).

 

Among those present were: Vice Regional Governor Theodoros Vasilopoulos; representing the Mayor of Elis, Municipal Councilor Konstantinos Koutroubis; Vice Mayor of Ancient Olympia Antonis Chrysanthakopoulos; Vice Mayor of Elis G. Krallis; Presidents of the Local Communities of Elis and Pisa Ch. Gourdoubas and Sofianos Sofianopoulos; representing the Chamber of Elis S. Sampsounis; ultra-distance runner Giannis Kouros; ultra-distance swimmer Spiros Chryssikopoulos; Olympian G. Tzelilis; world champions Maria Christoforidi and Maria Karpathaki; and Balkan champion in the 400 meters Argyro Giannikaki.

 

In every village along the route, local residents—volunteers of the Route of Truce—once again showed that the spirit of “Xenios Zeus” (sacred hospitality) remains alive in the land that gave birth to the Olympic Games, offering generous local treats to the runners.

 

The three-day events

 

The three-day events held as part of the “Route of Truce” began on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa.

Specifically:

  • The Kleosthenes Run, from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia (5 km race), in honor of King Kleosthenes of Ancient Pisa, who together with Iphitos of Elis and Lycurgus of Sparta established the institution of the Truce.

With the symbolic participation of Spiros Chryssikopoulos (ultra-distance swimmer and Guinness record holder), runners from Greece and abroad started on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa, 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 top three women were:
TSOUKALA KONSTANTINA (23’09.02)
TSHOMO DECHEN (23’18.40)
ADAMOPOULOU MACHI (24’57.43)

The top three men were:
KONSTANTARAS GEORGIOS (16’26.08)
VASILEIOU VASILEIOS (18’00.93)
CHRISTODOULOPOULOS EFTHYMIOS (21’32.21)

At the event—supported decisively by ASAED—the following were present: President of the Local Community of Pisa Sofianos Sofianopoulos, Forest Officer of Pyrgos Pan. Lattas, Olympian Giorgos Tzelilis, Balkan champion Argyroula Giannikaki, world champion Maria Christoforidi, Director of ASAED and longtime holder of the Greek national marathon record Spiros Andriopoulos, former MP of New Democracy Giorgos Kontogiannis, and the representative of Greek Solution Panag. Giannakoulopoulos.

  • THE IPHITOS RUN took place on Saturday afternoon in Ancient Elis. This symbolic race is dedicated to King Iphitos of Elis, one of the initiators of the Truce, who along with King Kleosthenes of Pisa and Lycurgus of Sparta signed the Truce Pact.

Children from 5th and 6th grade as well as junior high school students took part. The young runners started from the square of Elis and finished at the Modern Theatre of Ancient Elis, in a race of nearly 2 kilometers. All children were honored; special recognition was given to the first boy and girl in primary school: Georgios Christodoulopoulos (Ancient Elis) and Okeanida Karakatsani (Athens), and to the first boy and girl in junior high school: Zisis Karakatsanis (Athens) and Chrysi Kalogeropoulou (Avgeio).

The Iphitos Run took place within the framework of #BEACTIVE actions.

  • THE OPENING CEREMONY took place on Saturday evening in Ancient Elis.

In her address, the President of SYMPOLITEIA OLYMPIA (AMKE), Sofia Hintziou – Kontogianni, emphasized among other things: “Today, more than ever, it is necessary to apply the Truce as an Olympic value… The Truce must be highlighted, and its observance must become—just as it was in antiquity—a prerequisite for participation in the modern Olympic Games.”

During the ceremony, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the runner who lost his life last year shortly before the finish.

The Mayor of Elis

In his speech, the Mayor of Elis, Christos Christodoulopoulos, thanked the organizers and runners for their participation, stressed the universality of the Olympic Truce—now more timely than ever—highlighted the priceless value of Ancient Elis on the global cultural map, and announced that in cooperation with the Municipality of Ancient Olympia, they are seeking to host the 2027 International Children’s Games.

He stated in particular:

“The Municipality of Elis is pleased to participate in this year’s ‘Route of Truce,’ organized every year with great success by Sympoliteia Olympia… We are proud to have been part of this symbolic race for nearly ten years… Ancient Elis was the only city without walls—simply because it did not need them, as it had only friends and allies… In this spirit, together with Ancient Olympia, we are seeking to host the 2027 International Children’s Games…”

 

  • Then, Ms. Kontogianni invited Giannis Kouros, ultra-distance runner and holder of over 150 world records, to describe the emotions he felt when, last year, he signed on behalf of all runners, organizers, and volunteers of the Route of Truce the Olympic Truce Declaration in Ancient Olympia, shortly before the start of the Paris Olympic Games.

 

The Opening Ceremony concluded with a concert by Theologos Anagnostopoulos and Vana Angelopoulou, who energized the runners with traditional and folk dances.

 

Among those attending the opening ceremony were the Mayor of Elis Christos Christodoulopoulos, the President of the Municipal Council of Elis Theoni Georgopoulou, Presidents of the Local Communities of Elis Christos Gourdoubas, Kalyvia Andr. Korbakis, and Avgeio Prokopis Georgios; Vice Mayors responsible for Sports, Tourism Promotion and Youth Georgios Krallis; Technical Works, Infrastructure and Water Resources Kon. Tserionis; Pineia and Primary Sector Kostas Anagnostopoulos; Municipal Councilor Kon. Koutroubis; cultural and promotion advisor to the Municipality of Elis Magda Christodoulopoulou; Olympian Giorgos Tzelilis; world champion Maria Christoforidi; taekwondo world champion Maria Karpathaki; Balkan champion Argyroula Giannikaki; ultra-distance runner Giannis Kouros; Director of ASAED and holder of the Greek national record Spiros Andriopoulos; ultra-distance swimmer Spiros Chryssikopoulos; presidents of local cultural associations; runners; and a large crowd.

Local treats were offered to attendees by the Cultural Associations of Ancient Elis, Kalyvia of Elis, and Filea of Avgeio, as well as by the Association of School Building Cleaners of the Prefecture of Elis.

All events were organized by Sympoliteia Olympia (AMKE), with co-organizers the Region of Western Greece, the Municipalities of Elis, Pyrgos, and Ancient Olympia, the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces (ASAED), and the cooperating support body, the International Olympic Truce Center, with the support of the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE. They were held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defense, Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Rural Development and Food, and Tourism; the International Military Sports Council (CISM); the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC); the International Olympic Academy (IOA); the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO); the National Olympic Academy of Greece; the Association of Olympic Participants; and the Hellenic Olympians Association. Volunteer support was provided by the Hellenic Red Cross—Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps (Amaliada Regional Department), the Hellenic Red Cross (Pyrgos Regional Department), the 1st Scout System of Ilioupoli, E.O.P.Y.D. Vrachneikon, and S.E.DI.P. Western Achaia. Media sponsors included ERT, ERT3, ERA Sport 101.8, ERT Pyrgos, Proto Programma, PSAT, Running News.gr, OVI, and apopseis.gr.

In an effort to keep the history and values of our homeland alive in our memory, we would like to thank our supporters whose contribution greatly helps promote and achieve our mission: Louxi, bottled water Dirfys, AVANCE car rental, Karavias Art Insurance, KYKNOS Hellenic Canning Company S.A.; as well as supplier-supporters VIOLANTA biscuits, GAIAOHOS CAPITAL S.A., AMKE AIGEAS, Xenia – The Hospitality Experience, KTIMA BRINTZIKI, X-TREME STORES, DOLE, Panaigialeios Union of Cooperatives, National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS), Kalomoiris ILVIGAL, Fargeco Hellas, PANINI FOODS, and KARNAROS bakery.

The organizers also warmly thank the Hellenic Police for coordination and the safe implementation of the events, as well as the Presidents of the Local Communities, cultural associations, and residents of all communities along the Truce Trail for the excellent hospitality they offered to the runners of the Route of Truce 2025.

 

The next action of Sympoliteia Olympia as part of the Route of Truce 2025 activities is the “Art Exhibition – One-day Conference – Athlete Awards”, taking place on Wednesday, May 28 at the Hellenic War Museum (Athens) at 18:30.