Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

& the Hellenic Swimming Federation

PRESS RELEASE

Curtain opens for “SantoriniExperience”

The heart of sports tourismstrikes at Cyclades Group

Athens, October 03 2017.The top sports tourism event “Santorini Experience”is only a few days away. Between October 6th and 8th 2017, running and swimming races will be held for a 3rd consecutive year at the enchanting island of Cyclades.

“Santorini Experience” continues this year full of surprises!

The establishedmeet & greetevent will take place on Friday October 6th at noon (12:00pm) at the store of the sponsor Alafouzos Sport in Fira. The event will be attended by the Greek-American ultramarathon Dean Karnazes,who visits the island and the event for thefirst time and will run in the 15km race.Everyone attending the meet & greet will have the opportunity to get autographs from the athlete-phenomenon who will sign his latest book “The Road to Sparta” by Key Books.

Top professional athletes, as well as lots of amateur swimmers and runners, will give a dynamic“presence” at the event, as registrations have already broken any previous record!

One of the athletes who have participated in all the events so far in the waters of Santorini is the Greek open water champion, Kelly Araouzou. Along with her, several members of the National Team will also be present, such as Antonis Fokaidis, Giorgos Arniakos and Dimitris Negris and for the first time in an open water race, more than 10 Greek swimming champions will participate.

Another great athlete who will have his initial participation in the event, is the Hungarian swimmer Attila Manyoki.The 44-year-old distinguished athlete in open water swimming, with a great number of successes, belongs to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF). Manyoki has completed hundreds of marathon swimming races and has twice covered the 90km distance. In 2008, he swam 79.6km along Lake Balaton between Balatonkenese and Keszthely in 25 hours and 32 minutes.

For the best service and transfer of the participants in Santorini Experience at the starting points of the running routes on Saturday 07/10 in Oia and the swimming route on Sunday 08/10 at the old port of Fira, the event will arrange the following bus services: On Saturday October 7, 2017, there will be two services by bus (from 06:30amand 08:30am) from Fira (Bus station) to Oia (desalination plant) that will serve the participants wishing to be at the starting point of the running routes. Accordingly, the return of the participants will take place on another route at 12:30am, from Oia to Fira.

In addition, those wishing to move on Sunday, October 8, 2017, from Oia to the old port of Fira, will be served by the bus that will start from Passagio Santorini Oia at 08:30 in the morning. Please note that the transfer of swimmers to the volcano starts at 09:30, from the old port.

Inthefollowing link you may find thedetailed schedule of the event:

Online registrationsfor swimming and running have closedand registrations will only be made at the store of Alafouzos Sport,the event’s official sponsor,from Thursday October 5th.

From Thursday, October 5 to Saturday, October 7, 2017, all participants will be able to receive their numbers from Alafouzos Sport store (hours: 09:00-21:00). Alternatively the running participants may also receive their numbers one hour before the start of their route on Saturday October 7, 2017, fromthedesalination plant in Oia while the swimming participants may also receive their numbers one hour before their startonSunday October 8, 2017, from the old port in Fira.

All of the above would not have been realized if major sponsors had not stood on the side of the event since the first day of “Santorini Experience”.

Ryanairis for one more year the official airline partner of the event. BlueStarFerries, AlafouzosSportandAthinaLuxurySuitesare the official sponsors whileSamsungis the official technology partner.For the third consecutive year, ambassadors and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official supporter of “Santorini Experience”."Vikos"for the third consecutive year will offer to the athletes who will take part the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.Official supporters includeAvance, Aqua Vista Hotels,Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, ΕΚΟ, GoPro, Wyndham Grand Athens and Santorini Boatmen Union.

The hospitality sponsors supporting the event are:Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo MarisOiaLuxurySuitesSpa, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Andronis Concept, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites,Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini,White Pearl Villas, Caldera Collection.

“Santorini Experience” will take place under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Swimming Federation with the co-organization of the Municipality of Santorini, DAPPOS and Active Media Group.

Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Official Airline Partner:Ryanair

Official Sponsors:BlueStarFerries, AlafouzosSport, AthinaLuxurySuites

Official Technology Partner:Samsung

Official Supporters: FordMotorHellas, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, AvanceRentACar, AquaVistaHotels, SantoMarisOiaLuxurySuitesSpa, ΕΚΟ, GoPro, WyndhamGrandAthens, Santorini Boatmen Union

Hospitality Sponsors:Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Andronis Concept, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas,270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini,White Pearl Villas, Caldera Collection

Assisted by:SunsetOiaSailingCruises, AliosIlios,Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café,LifeguardPatrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini,AegeanDivers

Official Travel Agent:VitaNTravel

Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

Under the Auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation

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