Athens, June 13, 2024 – The sports tourism and wellness event Navarino Challenge returns for 12th yearon October 18-20, 2024 in Costa Navarino and Pylos. With the global message “sport unites”, the event presented with all solemnity the more than 55 actions included in this year’s program and which will take place in two of the four hotels of the destination, W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino .

The press conference of the Navarino Challenge was hosted at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, in the presence of the General Secretary of Sports, Mr. Giorgos Mavrotas, the Mayor of Pylos-Nestoros, Mr. Panagiotis Karvelas, the Deputy Regional Governor of Peloponnese Tourism, Mr. Athanasios Michelongonas, ambassadors such as Konstantinos Karnazis, Kostas Katsouranis, Michalis Triantafyllidis, Georgia Kaltsis, George Lazaridis, sponsors of the event as well as journalists and representatives of the press. The presentation of the press conference was undertaken by the renowned journalist, Stefanos Avramidis.

The event was welcomed via video by the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni who, among other things, said: “The Navarino Challenge is an institution that promotes sports, health and culture with a multitude of activities that have as a background the beautiful Messinia and the facilities of Costa Navarino, a pioneer, worldwide, destination hospitality that guarantees an unforgettable experience for spectators and participants. The organization gathers elements that can contribute to a gentle and sustainable tourism development. I would like to congratulate the organizers who have been working for over a decade to make the Navarino Challenge an event of international appeal.”

Navarino

For his part, the General Secretary of Sports, Mr. Giorgos Mavrotas stated: “The development of sports in our country is a matter of public interest for 4 main reasons: (a) the promotion of citizens’ health (b) the cultivation of values ​​mainly for the new generations (c) the image of the country internationally (d) economic development. All 4 of these reasons are combined in the Navarino Challenge which highlight the very rich potential that our country has in sports tourism and is one of the “flagships” of our country in this field. I want to express my congratulations on the ever-growing appeal and success of the Navarino Challenge for over 10 years. Good luck in this year’s event.”

The Mayor of Pylos-Nestoros, Mr. Panagiotis Karvelas said: “It is our honor and pleasure to participate in the Navarino Challenge once again. The Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros has been supporting this effort since the first year (2013) and together with the organizers we have managed to develop sports tourism in our Municipality. This year, the organization of the Navarino Challenge closes at the same time as the great feast of the Navarinos, which honors the history of all the nations that participated, but also of the people who passed into immortality putting the stamp on the foundation of the modern Greek state. We are waiting for you with many activities again this year in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros”.

Navarino Challenge

The Navarino Challenge Under the Patronage of the Peloponnese Region

The Deputy Regional Governor of Peloponnese Tourism, Mr. Athanasios Michelongonas said, among other things: “The Navarino Challenge is for us an example of how you can organize a successful project in the Peloponnese. Through this event, not only the value of sports is highlighted, but also the tourism potential of our region. This institution contributes significantly to the promotion of the Peloponnese as a destination, attracting visitors from various parts of the world and strengthening the local economy. Sport brings people together, promotes health and creates strong bonds between communities. The Navarino Challenge is a living example of these values.”

Navarino Challenge

Then the Ambassador of Greek Tourism and Ultramarathoner Constantinos Karnazis emphasized: “I have traveled and taken part in many sporting events around the world. The Navarino Challenge is a world leader in terms of the number of sports and activities it presents as well as its quality as an event. I am honored to be part of this premier event that showcases the best Greece has to offer in sports, gastronomy, hospitality and culture.”

Navarino Challenge

The CEO of ActiveMedia Group, Mr. Akis Tsolis, said, among other things, in his presentation: “In 2019 we were talking about wellness, while today the new trend or more correctly the big bet is longevity, how we will live longer and better . With the global message “sport unites”, we are waiting for you in Costa Navarino and Pylos for the 12th and most activity-rich Navarino Challenge.

Gastronomy & Sports Tourism at the Center

The Managing Director of Miele, Mr. Thanos Kyriazis said: “Miele Hellas, as a platinum sponsor this year, supports for the 3rd consecutive year the leading Wellness and Sports Tourism event in Europe. A truly unique event whose values ​​are identical to those of Miele. Values ​​such as ethics, noble competition, inclusion of diversity, social contribution and passion for continuous development and quality creation. So today we are celebrating this great meeting of values ​​and we are committed to continue supporting such actions, for a harmonious lifestyle based on sustainability, exercise and a balanced diet.”

Navarino Challenge

Corporate Social Responsibility actions

The Corporate Affairs Manager of MOTODYNAMIKI Group, Ms. Maira Passia stated among others: “As a Group, we believe in the power of movement and through our products and services, we aim to create emotions and transform people’s lives through exploration and human contact. Integrity, trust, respect, excellence and reliability are the fundamental values ​​that guide us every day which are identified with those of the Navarino Challenge and are parallel to our CSR pillars. We are participating for the third consecutive year in the Navarino Challenge with our entire community. We will be next to top athletes such as Antigoni Drisbiotis, Pavlos Kayalis, Ioannis Orfanos, Dimitris Papanikolaou and we will further develop our collaborations with the Athens University of Economics and Business, Humanity Greece and of course Thanasis Houdras, with a series of announcements and actions which will follow in the next period”.

The inspirer of Humanity Greece, Mrs. Georgia Paraschou said: “Through the Navarino Challenge, the shared values ​​that link Sports and Volunteerism are promoted, giving the opportunity to young men and women to actively contribute to the three-day event and to the promotion of great Civil Society groups. For another year, “Sharing is Caring” will support 12 non-profit organizations, which carry out great social, humanitarian, environmental and animal welfare work. This action is one of the most important auctions that take place in Greece and aims to substantially support organizations and voluntary groups”.

Navarino Challenge

Finally, the safe driving instructor, Mr. Thanasis Houdras, said: “I would like to warmly thank MOTODYNAMIKI Group for the trust and all the cooperation. The Group adopted the theoretical Road Safety program “Drive Change. Move Safe”, which during the academic year 2023-2024 trained more than 1,000 young men and women. Our aim now, through the Navarino Challenge, is to educate the young men and women of Messinia”.

As part of the press conference, rich gifts were offered to the participants from the following companies: Miele, MOTODYNAMIKI Group, Korres, Navarino Icons, Kois Optics, Phee and Messinian Spa.

Watch the Navarino Challenge 2024 teaser video here:

Register for the run

Runners can directly take part in the 21.1km, 10km, 5km and 1km routes. The children’s race is held free of charge. Register through the special form available at the following link.

Book your accommodation package now

Enjoy three days full of outdoor sports activities for young and old. Get the complete package of sporting activities and live a unique sporting and cultural experience. For more information about the accommodation packages at W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you can send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. See the packages here.

The event’s rich program includes over 55 actions which will take place at the W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino hotels. In this year’s activities, in addition to running, you will find activities such as: soccer lessons, watersports, tennis (tournaments and lessons), padel tournaments, cooking masterclasses, pickleball, spinning, group cycling, sunset party, basketball lessons & 4on4 basketball tournaments, beach volleyball tournaments , beachathlon, pilates, climbing, cycling in Voidokoilia, golf, taekwondo, crossfit, yoga, kayaking in Sfakteria, high intensity training, baby swimming, skateboarding and others to be announced in the coming weeks.

Platinum Sponsor is Miele.

Gold Sponsor of the event is MOTODYNAMIKI Group.
Official Hospitality Sponsors are Costa Navarino and the hotels
W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.
Silver Sponsors are Knorr and The North Face.
Official Water is Vikos Natural Mineral Water.
Official Sports Equipment Supplier is Luanvi.
Bronze Sponsors are KORRES, Trace ‘n Chase and Pilia Express.
Premium Mobility Partner of the event is SIXT, a member of
MOTODYNAMIKI Group.
Authentic Flavor Partner is Navarino Icons.

Navarino Icons is a line of authentic, agricultural products from Messinia, inspired by the rich traditions and history of the region. The series has been awarded with more than 55 awards from internationally recognized competitions. At the heart of the company’s philosophy is the highlighting and promotion of the Messinian culinary heritage, the roots of which begin in Mycenaean times, maintaining it unchanged for 3,000 years.

Partners of the Navarino Challenge are Messinian Nest, Municipality of Pylos-
Nestoros, Bacardi, Poseidonia Restaurant, Karalis Beach Hotel and
Karalis City Hotel & Spa.
Official Optics Partner is Kois Optics.
Supporters are Vlacha, Phee and Messinian Spa.
Premium TV Partner is SKAI.
Premium Media Partner is Liquid Media.
Sustainability Partner is π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention.
The Educational Partner of the Navarino Challenge is Finance
Athens university.
Sports Partners of the Navarino Challenge are Angelic Yoga Arts,
Falcons Football Academy, FitnessArt, Gymnastics Stars, Moraitis
Watersports, Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino, Navarino
Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim
Academy, Swim O’ Clock, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena.
Navarino Challenge sponsors are Vita N Travel, Link
Pylos Tourism Development Enterprises.

The Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Hellenic Tourism Organization and the Peloponnese Region. ActiveMedia Group has taken over the organization and sports production.

More information about this year’s activities and program will be announced in the coming weeks.

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#livewell
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