Unprecedented celebration in the works for Athens Marathon's big anniversary

Athens, Greece - The big-city Marathons - London, New York, Paris, Berlin, Boston – have had a huge impact in the last 30 years, getting unprecedented numbers of folks out on the road, and helping push the World record closer to that elusive two hour barrier. Boston can even boast over a hundred years’ legacy, beginning as it did in the late 19th century.

But when the Athens Classic Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, takes place later this year, it will be celebrating an anniversary that puts all others into the deep shade.

Because 2010 is the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, an event which arguably ‘saved’ democracy in what would become Western Europe; and ultimately provided the impetus for the creation of the marathon race for the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896.

The organisers of this year’s event, from the town of Marathon to the old marble Panathenaiko stadium in Athens, are putting on an unprecedented show for the race on Sunday, October 31. Last year’s record field of 7000 has been increased to 20,000+, a quota that was filled within weeks of entry being opened at the start of the year.

Elite entries already include Kenyans Isaac Macharia and Jonathan Kipkorir, both of whom have run just over 2:07, while famous guests so far include double Olympic Marathon gold medallist Waldemar Cierpinski, Ron Hill, who won the Euro Marathon in Athens 1969, and Kathrine Switzer, whose gate-crashing of the hitherto all-male Boston Marathon in 1967 helped kick-start the explosion in women’s marathoning.

A local celebrity Maria Polyzou has already retraced the footsteps of the legendary Phillipides, and run from Athens to Sparta and back to Marathon (over 500 kilometres) within six days last week. Although retired from competitive running, Polyzou was eminently suited to the task, since she is still Greek women’s marathon record holder, and is currently Director of the Museum of the Marathon, in the town of Marathon itself.

The Association of International Marathons (AIMS) is holding its 18th Congress in the Greek capital in the days preceding this year’s Athens Classic Marathon, and delegates will attend the traditional lighting of the Marathon Flame at the tumulus, the burial ground for those few score Hellenic soldiers who fell in the victorious Battle of Marathon against the invading Persians in 490BCE.

Pat Butcher (organisers) for the IAAF

source: http://www.iaaf.org/LRR10/news/newsid=57927.html?cid=rssfeed&att=index

Myconian Kohili-Korali-Kyma-Kalypso Thalasso Spa Center

Offering guests a free 50-minute thalassotherapy session each day, the Myconian K Hotels & Thalasso Spa Center (Kohili-Korali-Kyma-Kalypso) are perfectly positioned, only 10 minutes walk from the cosmopolitan Chora.

Gym and spa facilities, large terraces overlooking the 2 multi-level swimming pools and the Aegean Sea, outdoor jacuzzi and magnificent views are the main features of the 3-star Myconian Thalasso Spa Centre.

Myconian Kohili-Korali-Kyma-Kalypso offer comfortable and affordable accommodation in Mykonos. All guest rooms have balconies with impressive views. Each stylish en suite room is equipped with satellite TV with movie channel, mini fridge and air conditioning. Superior rooms also offer private outdoor jacuzzi.

Windmills a la carte restaurant overlooking the swimming pools and the famous Mykonos Town windmills serves carefully chosen Mediterranean cuisine. Refreshments and light snacks are served at the Veranda pool bar offering a magnificent view of the sea.

Hotel Rooms: 156. Hotel Chain: The Myconian Collection.

Availability and rate

Rethymnon, Crete - Exploring Mili Gorge

Mili is one of the most interesting canyons in the Prefecture of Rethymnon, on the island of Crete. Today we enjoy what is left from times past and the beauty of the area along with a group of hikers from Rethymnon.

source: visitgreece.gr

Israeli PM Netanyahu: Visit to Greece of "historic importance"

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and his visiting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced the creation of a joint committee to deal with all possible issues of bilateral cooperation, including security, tourism, investments, energy and innovation.

The announcement during a joint press conference follows a meeting at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, where Netanyahu termed his visit to Greece as being of historic importance.

Mutual visits by the Greek and Israeli prime ministers to Israel and Greece, respectively, have taken place over the recent period for the first time since the establishment of the state of Israel.

It was also stressed during the joint press conference that the strengthening of relations between Greece and Israel constitutes a strategic option of the two countries and should not be considered as being in conflict of the two countries' bilateral or multilateral relations with other countries.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Exhibition of noted Greek artists on Tinos

Works of 47 noted Greek painters are on display at an exhibition held at the Arnados village's cultural centre on the Cycladic island of Tinos.

"For the first time Tinos becomes an island gallery, which calls not only art lovers but also each one of us to visit," Tinos Mayor Simos Orfanos said.

Works by Yannis Moralis, Spyros Papaloukas, Tsarouchis, Nikos Nikolaou as well as Opi Zouni, Dimitris Mytaras and Fassianos' focusing on Grecian landscapes and skies, Aegean scenes and islands' architecture.

The exhibition will run until Aug. 22.

source: ana-mpa.gr

The hottest day of summer

Tuesday is expected to be the hottest day of the summer so far in Greece. Winds will fade and the highs will reach 41C in some parts of the country. Light winds will blow in Attica with high temperature expected to reach 40C and in downtown Athens 41C.

Temperatures on the islands will range from 36 to 39 degrees.

source: ana-mpa.gr

'Antikythera Mechanism' exhibition opens on Kythera

An exhibition entitled "The Mechanism of Antikythera" will be on display on the southwestern Aegean island of Kythera (Kythira) until Sept. 19, an initiative by the ministry of education.

The exhibition opened on Aug. 11 in Potamos, Kythera while on Aug. 19 the exhibition will be transferred to Chora, the island's main town.

Visitors of the exhibition will be able to learn about the history of the ancient mechanism, believed to be an ancient mechanical calculator (also described as a primordial "mechanical computer") designed to calculate astronomical positions.

The artifact was discovered within an ancient shipwreck off the nearby isle of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete . It has been dated to about 150-100 BC. Technological devises of similar complexity appeared a thousand years later, scholars have noted.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Samothrace, Evros, Thrace - Canoeing in Xiropotamos

Along with some members of the Hellenic (Greek) Association of Canyon Exploration we cross the gorge of Xiropotamos. We talk with them about the possibilities of the further development of their activities in Greece and we go rappelling at the waterfalls. We also dive in the ponds having a wonderful time.

Take part in an original experiential festival

On the 20th, 21st and 22nd of August, at Marpissa, Paros Island, local residents and visitors take part in an original experiential festival.

The traditional core of the village has been charted and is inviting you to discover it through suggested routes that highlight the physiognomy of the place and of its people.

The “Routes in Marpissa” project was created by a group of visionary young people out of their love for this place. Architecture, Sculpture, Environment and Music are the four axes around which evolves the three-day cultural festival that is put together through the active participation of the local residents of Marpissa and features action games, art workshops, concerts, projections and exhibitions.

Through the Routes in Marpissa visitors get the opportunity to get to know the authentic character of the place and local residents get the chance to discover hidden sides of their rich inheritance.

Sponsored by the Municipality of Paros
In cooperation with the Municipal District and the Women’s Club of Marpissa

source: visitgreece.gr