Corfu Travel Blog: An Insider’s View of Corfu Greece

Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 07:07 am

Update: Corfu Mountain Trail in Benitses has been abandoned since 2015, this post has only historical value.

3rd CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL was successfully held today 2-2-2014

Despite the cold and rainy weather this year’s 3rd CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL in Benitses had great success.

The starting time was at 8 AM as scheduled for both routes of 17 and 37 km respectively.
Volunteers and organizers gave their best and everything worked flawlessly, with the participation of 293 athletes from all over Greece that exceeded all expectations and despite the rain and cold, a large number of people were at the starting point during the whole event.

As athletes said the path was difficult and slippery, also the rain made conditions difficult but also the beautiful mountain scenery more spectacular, something that helped almost all athletes to finish normally, only three of them did not make it.

We wish and hope that next year the event will have even greater success and more participants.

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014

Corfu mountain trail 2014 medals

«CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL» – How it started

Two years ago some Corfiots in sport conceived the idea of a race that would fit in the diverse landscape of Corfu and at the same time would be quite difficult to attract participation from all over Greece and slowly established itself as a major race event among many others already conducted throughout the country.

What more appropriate than the very beautiful verdant landscape of Corfu and particularly that of the central mountainous region of the island.

So some people thought that a race run in this mountainous terrain would have great response and success but also a large degree of difficulty enough to attract big names and become nationally and internationally known.

The area in and around Benitses was considered as the most suitable, indeed Benitses as a tourist center that has the ability to host an unlimited number of athletes and escorts also have the infrastructure and large open spaces suitable for starting, stopping and install of technical infrastructure for full monitoring and control of the entire route.
Also, the constant population growth in recent years makes Benitses a small town rather than a village, infrastructure and the position of Benitses also help furthermore.

The route from Benitses to the surrounding villages is large enough to hold two races, a 17 km route and a route of 37 kilometers, both within an area of outstanding natural beauty, full of olive groves, these races will help to highlight the natural environment of the exceptional beauty of this part of our island.

If you combine the fact that the long race is slightly smaller than a marathon as well that this is done on mountain trails with steep slopes and many alternations are easily perceived that the degree of difficulty is greater than a marathon.

So in the winter of 2011 held the first race with sufficient success, resulting in the continuation of the second race running in mountainous terrain in February 2013 under the name «CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL 2013» with even greater success and appearances.

The race has now become known nationwide and this year was organized and held on Sunday, 2 February 2014 the 3rd mountainous terrain race run under the name «CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL 2014».

The race was organized by the «CORFU MOUNTAIN TRAIL» and held in the standard path on the geographic unit designated by the villages of Benitses, Gastouri, Agioi Deka, Kato Garouna and Stavros.

As the time limit for completion of the 17km race is the time of four (4 ) hours and a time limit for completion of the 37 km race is the time of eight (8 ) hours.

Valid athletes are those who finish within the time limit.
The elevation difference of long-stroke (RAIN TRAIL) is 2020 meters and the small (OLIVE TREE TRAIL) is 1000 meters.

ENTRY RIGHTS

Men and women over the age of 18 have the right to participate in the race. The age of 18 must be fulfilled at the date of the race. Athletes under the age of 18 are allowed to participate only with an affirmation signed by the parent or guardian.

The sports event consists of three parts:

MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUNNING RACE with two optional routes: OLIVE TREE TRAIL (17km) & RAIN TRAIL (37km)
HIKING ROUTE with a length of 5 km
KIDS RACE 1000 meters at the square of Benitses, for pupils of Elementary School. There will be two categories: Girls up to 12 years old and boys up to 12, born after 2002. The Kids Race is sponsored by the Corfiot Gym Association and the TE Segas.
NOTE: Because of the bad weather This year’s children’s race was postponed until next Sunday and will be held in the town of Corfu, specifically in the position of the Esplanade square.

PARTICIPATION FEE

The cost to participate in the race of 37 km is € 30 and 17 km is € 20.
More information on what the package includes, ie participation as commemorative medals, electronic timing, security, catering, seminars from coaches before the match, rehabilitation massage, meals, gifts, etc.

Regarding the accommodation of athletes and escorts, accommodation have been secured in Benitses, the price will be low and will vary each year depending, see details on the organization’s site.

RACE CATEGORIES

1) Men (18-40) born from 01.01.1974 to 02.02.1996,
2)Men Veteran (41-55) born 1959-1973 and 55 and over (1958 +)
3)Women (18-40) born from 1996 to 1974,
4)Women Veteran (41 +) 1973 +

AWARDS

The first place of each category and each track will get a cup and a medal. Second and third place will receive a medal. All athletes who finish within the time limit receive a memorial medal and a participation diploma.

EQUIPMENT

It is recommended to all athletes to have a flask to supply with water from the provision points and therefore have hydration autonomy, a raincoat in case of rain, and a cell phone.

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