Marathon+ 44km

A mountain Marathon crossing the Timfi mountain complex.

A few words about

The renewed and fulfilling race of 44km, follows a circular route of 2.600m elevation gain. This mountain marathon is a big challenge for your personal goals, while you experience mountain running from a different angle.

Elevation Profile

iTRA & UTMB

2 iTRA POINTS

RACE CATEGORY

Basic details

Participation limit

A maximum of 350 athletes can participate in the race.

Time limit

10 hours since the race start.

Intermediate cut off points-time

Megalo Papigo (cut off time: 4hrs and 30min after your designated start time)

Race description

Starting point: the Tsepelovo High School (1.050m altitude). The runners cross the village square and they come across one of the hardest uphill points of the race: the Tsepelovo steps (stone step-path of 2km, at 1.340m and 290m elevation gain), which they will find once again before the finishing line.

The following 3.3km continue in a downhill route (negative elevation gain -270m), leading to the village Kapesovo (Water Supplies Station and Checkpoint).

The route continues descending for about 2.3km (-470m of negative elevation gain) and the athletes should be aware of the steep downhill route, a terrain of technical complexity. On the 7.5km, the route enters into the Vikos Gorge!

The trail continues in the gorge with slight elevation changes until the 12km, where we find the location “Klima” and the 1st Support Station at 607m of altitude (ascent 489m, descent 930m).

Continuing on a similar motif, we reach the springs of Voidomatis river (19km, Water Supplies Station and Checkpoint) at 483m of altitude (ascent 586m, descent 1.140m). From now on, the hard uphill part of the route begins, until the village Megalo Papigo on the 23km. The Main Support Station is found there, where the athletes can take a short rest (at 933m of altitude, ascent 1.100m, descent 1.200m).

The route crosses the village Mikro Papigo and continues ascending for 5.5km, until the “Astraka Refuge” (30km) where the 3rd Refreshment Station is, at an altitude of 1920m and positive elevation gain of 1.900m.

Leaving behind the refuge, a very demanding downhill follows for about 1.5km and after that, the trail enters into an uphill direction again until the Lake Robozi on the 33.5km (4th Refreshment Station). This is the highest point of the race, at an altitude of 2.030m and positive elevation gain of 2.150m.

Then, the route starts descending, presenting slight gradient changes until we reach the 38km, at the location “Krouna“, drinking fresh water from the spring.

For the next 2.5km the route continues on slight elevation changes (+140m) up to the 40km, where we reach the location “Avgerinos” (5th Refreshment Station) at an altitude of 1.750m and elevation gain of 2.560m. There are only 4.5km left, downhill route, and the last Checkpoint of the race before the Tsepelovo stone step-path, just a breath from the finishing line.

Refreshment Stations of Marathon+ 44km

Running especially when that includes long distances, time and effort is inextricably intertwined with energy intake. The importance of energy intake during an ultra marathon, for those who have such great racing experience, seems to be the key for a desired result, which focuses not only on performance but also on pleasure offered by the race and yet avoiding the phenomenon of survival.

Basic rationale of the group responsible for the supply of our race is to provide participants with a variety of flavors, satisfying even the most demanding requests. The selection of various food items for the refreshment stations is based on specific guidelines that allow athletes to meet their energy needs.

Particular emphasis is given on energy coverage for novice runners, who can participate without dietary protocol, preventing energy loss that could arise from the lack of racing experience.

The proposed selection and placement of items provided in the refreshment stationss designed to meet energy needs in accordance with international recommendations and the relevant scientific literature.

Each mountain race is unique, yet each and every athlete is unique. The intra-individual differences among athletes are numerous and so are their needs.

Thefort to satisfy them, at least at the energy level is an incentive for all of us.

The selection of the particular food items for the refreshment stations was based on our personal engagement with sport nutrition and the creation of similar protocols for our athletes. Your views and feedback on this issue were also taken into consideration.

The Scientific Team

Stamatis Mourtakos MSc, PhD
Sports Nutritionist – Ergophysiologist

Stathis Vasileiou, CISSN
Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist

Dimitris Theodorakakos, ISSN
Marathon and Trail Running Champion, Coach

*C.E.G.: Cumulative Elevation Gain
*Bar: Carbohydrates & protein bars
*Salty foods: Biscuits, crisps, peanuts, bread and turkey slice
*Soft Drinks: Cola
*Fruits: Watermelon or banana etc.

NOTICE

Refreshment Stations are all manned stations with at least 2 volunteers who will help and provide supplies to the athletes.

Χλμ	Σ.Θ.Υ.Δ.	Τοποθεσία	Σταθμός / Checkpoint
5.5	+303μ	ΚΑΠΕΣΟΒΟ	Checkpoint
12	+489μ	ΚΛΗΜΑ
19	+586μ	ΠΗΓΕΣ ΒΟΪΔΟΜΑΤΗ
23	+1100μ	ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΠΑΠΙΓΚΟ	Elim. Point: 4.5 ώρες
30	+1900μ	ΚΑΤΑΦΥΓΙΟ ΑΣΤΡΑΚΑΣ
33.2	+2150μ	ΛΙΜΝΗ ΡΟΜΠΟΖΙ
37	+2300μ	ΚΡΟΥΝΑ
40	+2560μ	ΑΥΓΕΡΙΝΟΣ
42	+2590μ	ΣΚΑΛΑ ΤΣΕΠΕΛΟΒΟΥ	Checkpoint

The races route in GPX file format

You can download the Marathon+ 44km race’s route in GPX file format in order to import to your watch.

TIP:

The file is compressed (in zip format) so you have to unzip it first in order to import it.

MANDATORY & RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

Mandatory Marathon+ 44km equipment

Athletes must bring a water bottle (with a capacity of at least 500ml) and/or a mug/cup for beverages at the aid stations (water, soft drinks, etc.) mandatorily.

The organization does not provide hydration cups at the aid stations. Each athlete is responsible for choosing their own container (cup, flask, bladder, bottle, etc.) to bring in order to receive the appropriate fluid quantities. The fluid quantities will be dispensed with a practical measuring device by the aid station staff. For the sake of efficiency, athletes should have containers with a wide mouth for quick refills. Athletes are responsible for carrying one or two containers separately for water and isotonic drinks.

The transport of hydration backpacks or any type of backpack or waist pack is permitted. Discarding a backpack along the route at the central station points is the athlete’s responsibility.

Especially for the TeRA 80km, all athletes must carry this mandatory equipment during the race.

Aluminum foil blanket
Headlamp & batteries
Mini first aid kit
Mobile phone
Extra food (in solid or liquid form)

Each athlete has the right to carry the equipment they consider necessary to cope with the challenges of the race. The organization reserves the right to conduct random checks to ensure the completeness of the equipment both at the start and during the race.

We recommend a minimum equipment, called “Survival Gear,” which is absolutely necessary for an athlete competing for so many consecutive hours.

The suggested “Survival Gear” package consists of the following:

Mobile phone
Mini first aid kit
Waterproof jacket (according to the weather)
Solid food
Headlamp & batteries
Aluminum blanket

In addition to the above equipment, each athlete can add vital medications they may need, as well as other practical items, such as:

Gaiters
Water bottle
Hiking poles
Sun hat
Gloves
Electrolyte solution, etc.

Recommented/Optional equipment

We recommend recommends that athletes carry a small backpack or waist pack with some basic supplies, such as:

Sunglasses
Hat
Water bladder or wide-mouthed water bottle
Solid food of their choice to meet their needs between stations.

IMPORTANT In case of an accident or a serious problem that triggers an alert to the appropriate rescue teams, the Organizing Committee will also inspect the mandatory equipment of the athlete. If it is determined that the athlete has put themselves at risk due to their own negligence (due to insufficient equipment), the penalty will be their expulsion from the race and exclusion from the following year's event.
Examples of serious negligence may include:

Injury from a fall in the dark due to the lack of a headlamp.
Hypothermia caused by the absence of appropriate clothing.
Dehydration due to the absence of a hydration system.

DROP BAGS

Each athlete is entitled to deliver a “drop bag” at Tsepelovo before the start of the race at the start/finish area (Tsepelovo High School) so that they can have access to items they may need (e.g., dry/clean clothes, keys, etc.) after their finish.

All athletes will be given a special tag with their BiB number to place on their finish line drop bag. After the race, athletes will be able to collect their drop bag from the same location (Tsepelovo High School).

The Organization does not provide drop bags to athletes.

The bags at the Finish Line will be of their own choice (preferably made of waterproof material, such as nylon bags with drawstrings) to ensure durability.

Additionally, the Organization advises against unnecessary use of disposable materials. The bags may contain anything the athlete deems necessary for support (food, clothing, etc.). It is prohibited to place any sharp objects (knives, forks, etc.) inside the bags to avoid potential accidents or damage to the bag’s contents or other athletes’ belongings. Upon reaching the finish line, each athlete will be able to retrieve their drop bag, which will have been returned in the meantime.

The Organization is not liable for any breakage of items contained in the bags. Personal items left by athletes at the Aid Stations of the race (such as backpacks, hydration systems, trekking poles, etc.) are not the responsibility of the Organization in case of loss. Athletes themselves are responsible for collecting them after the end of the race.