The annual event was recently bestowed with a Gold Award at the Tourism Awards, the highest distinction in Greek tourism. Navarino Challenge enriches its program this year with innovative activities at the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor aiming at breaking the record of 7,500 athletes, visitors and volunteers.

The event’s enriched 3-day programme includes:

Open Water Swimming

Open water swimming enthusiasts will have the chance to compete in a chip-timed event on Saturday October 12, at the beautiful Navarino bay from the scenic Pylos harbour, covering the unique 1 mile (1.6 km) route of the open water swimming race by Vikos. The route has been designed by the national federal technical coach, Nikos Gemelos (the coach who has earned countless Olympic and world-class honours in open water swimming for Greece).

Challenge The Wind – Sailing Races

An interclub sailing race of triangle course with OPTIMIST and LASER 4.7 boats will be held for the first time from October 11-13. The race will be co-organized with the Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, under the aegis of the Hellenic Sailing Federation.

To be held on the second weekend of October, “Challenge The Wind”, as its name suggests, hopes to become an annual tradition and sporting benchmark for sailing competitions in the coming years.

Sea Κayaking in the Navarino Bay

The activity, to be held for the first time on Saturday October 12, will start from the port of Pylos at Poseidonia, and head to the island of Sphacteria, supported by Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards the inside of the bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria.

Basketball camp with Joe Arlauckas

Basketball will be the sport of honour at the Pylos indoor basketball court.

On Sunday October 13, children from Pylos and Messinia, aged between 8 and 16 will have the opportunity to attend basketball lessons for free by the Euroleague legend Joe Arlaukas, while on Saturday, October 12, a basketball clinic will be held at Costa Navarino.

Kids’ Athletics at Pylos Square

Kids’ Athletics returns for another year to Pylos Square on Saturday October 12, with Periklis Iakovakis, the Olympic & World Champion in 400m. hurdles, as its ambassador. This is an activity that aims at getting children acquainted with track and field sports.

The Kids’ Athletics activities includes long jump, the sport of the world famous Olympic champion and legendary Kostis Tsiklitiras, who was born in Pylos, Messinia.

A Visit to the house of the Olympic champion Tsiklitiras

On Saturday October 12, 2019, visitors to Pylos can visit the refurbished family home of the Olympic champion, Kostis Tsiklitiras, now a museum housing a Library and Art Gallery with rare documents, paintings, historical maps and many interesting exhibits.

Traditional local flavours

On Saturday October 12, athletes and visitors can partake of Messinia’s rich culinary heritage as Pylos comes alive with booths celebrating local flavours: traditional lalagia, loukoums, sesame seed bars and nuts with honey, created by food blogger Mamatsita, Poseidonia and Pylos Poems.

Sunset Beach Yoga at Voidokilia

On Friday, October 11, instructor Dimitris Moros and FitnessArt hold sunset beach yoga sessions by Messinian Spa to the backdrop of the mythical Voidokilia, Messinia’s famed beach that traces the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet (written as “Ω”).

30% discount on registrations until 31/5

Runners and swimmers can act immediately to take advantage of the early bird offer by registering to a 30% discount until 31 May (children’s participation is free of charge). Entries for the award-winning sporting event are underway and interested parties can take part by completing the special form here.

Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points.

For more information on accommodation packages in the region visit VitaNTravel: http://vitantravel.gr/

“Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 programme of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Greece conjures up images of sandy beaches under blue skies, fresh and nourishing cuisine, and whitewashed houses. It is also the country where the Olympic spirit was born, making it a fitting host for a triathlon.

IRONMAN 70.3 Greece, Costa Navarino will take place in April, with the pleasant temperatures of spring bringing the ideal climate for racing. This unique race will take place in the Peloponnese—in the area around Costa Navarino and the Messenia regions. This area boasts one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Mediterranean, combined with a remarkable cultural heritage spanning 4,500 years. Visitors can explore monuments and archeological sites from every period of the Peloponnesian history, surrounded by a landscape of mountains, forests, and rivers.

Athletes will embark on a 1.9-km swim in the Ionian Sea in front of the pristine beach of Navarino Dunes. They will ride through ancient olive groves and pine-covered hills, while never losing site of the deep blue of the Ionian Sea. Leaving Soulinari they will head to Gargaliani village and back to Costa Navarino. The bike course is a challenging, two-lap course over excellent paved roads. Finally, the half marathon will start from The Westin Resort Costa Navarino towards Omega (Voidokilia) beach—a sweeping semicircle beach of light golden sand. The beach is right next to Gialova lagoon, a protected Natura 2000 site. The course continues to the lagoon over the village’s cobblestone roads before heading back to the finish line at The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort at Costa Navarino.

For the second consecutive year, the reenactment of the Navarino Battle was the peak of the celebrations, in the very city that linked its name to the renaissance of the Hellenic State. Thank you all for doing us the honor of spectating and living with us this amazing Cultural experience. You give us the power to move forward, and we will be expecting you again in 2019!

Grand Sponsor:

Costa Navarino

Official Sponsors:

National Bank NBG Group

Κ.Ε.Δ.Ε

ΠΕΔ Πελοποννήσου

Terna S.A GEK Group

Μεσόγειος Α.Ε.

Communication Sponsors:

SKAI.gr

Official Supporters:

Super Market – Αφοί Παναγιωτόπουλοι

Media & Marketing Supporters:

Active Media

Assisted by :

Lafazanis Winery

Traditional Boat Association of Greece

With the magnificent boats:

RHEA – Topsail Schooner, Belle Lurette & Viking

Τοπικές επιχειρήσεις Πύλου & Γιάλοβας

Production Credits

Audio/Visual Effects :

Galakteros Event Production

Fireworks Special Effects :

Πυροτεχνήματα Nanos Fireworks

Audio/Visual Coverage:

Best Tv Kalamata

Media&Marketing : Indevin creative agency

Art & Concerts events:

Klaudia Delmer & Mottet

Πολιτιστικός Σύλλογος Πύλου Σύλλογος Κυριών Πύλου

Ναυτικος Αθλητικος Συλλογος Πυλου ” Νεστωρ”

Photo&Video Credits : Dm Clauss