The 10th TUI International Marathon of Rhodes Dedicated to Kallipateira

The 10th TUI International Marathon of Rhodes will be dedicated to Kallipateira on April 6, 2025. In the Marathon and Half Marathon races, the winners and participants will receive medals depicting the face of Roditissa, who, through the beautiful idea of ​​sports, wrote her own unique history in Ancient Greece.

Runners who take part in the 10 and 5-kilometer races will also receive a smaller Kallipateira medal. In addition to the medal, the daughter of Olympic Champion Diagoras of Rhodes will be “present” on the event poster, at a conference on her achievement, as well as at other parallel events that will take place shortly before the Marathon.

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF KALLIPATEIRA

The Rhodian Kallipateira was the first woman of antiquity to enter a sports venue and watch the ancient Olympic Games! The regulations prohibited women from entering and watching the gymnastics competitions, otherwise, they were punished with death by being thrown from the rocky Typaeus mountain. Kallipateira, wanting to admire her son Peisirrodos, who was competing in wrestling, took the audacity and, disregarding the relevant prohibition and the threatened punishment, disguised herself as her trainer, entered and watched the competition.

However, she was betrayed by her excessive and justified enthusiasm for her son's victory. However, she was not sentenced to death, as her family had produced a series of Olympic champions (father, husband, three brothers, son, and nephew).

“WE PAY A TAX OF HONOR TO THE RHODESIAN OLYMPIANS”

Regarding this year’s anniversary race, the president of the Organizing Committee, Marietta Papavassiliou, emphasized: “The 10th anniversary TUI Rhodes Marathon is dedicated to Kallipateira, the Rhodian heroine of antiquity. The daughter of the Olympic champion Diagoras of Rhodes, Kallipateira was the first woman who dared to secretly enter the Olympic Games, disguised as a man, to watch her son compete. Defying the strict social prohibitions of the time, she demonstrated her strength, courage, and dedication to sports.

Through Kallipateira, we honor every woman who fights to overcome obstacles and excel, whether in sports or in any other area of ​​life. In an era where gender equality remains a constant issue, her example is more relevant than ever.

The runners' medal is inspired by this great figure in Rhodian Olympic history, while the Marathon poster is dedicated to Kallipateira. At the same time, a special conference will be held that will highlight her role and the general importance of sports in shaping the history of Rhodes.

With this dedication, we pay tribute to the Rhodian Olympians of antiquity and to all those who contributed to the spread of the athletic ideal throughout time. Sport has always been a fundamental element of the identity of Rhodes and, through the Marathon, we continue to promote and keep this tradition alive”.

Marathon to extend the season

The Rhodes International Marathon is always held at the beginning of the season with the aim of strengthening the early tourist season. It is among the leading running races in Greece and abroad, attracting the interest of the global running community and the media.

The co-organizers of the race remain the EAS SEGAS Dodecanese, the Region of South Aegean, the non-profit organization MARATHONIOS RHODES and the Municipality of Rhodes, with the support of the TUI Tourist Company, the Rhodes Hoteliers Association and the EVED, while the race is under the auspices of SEGAS, the Greek National Tourist Organization and the Ministry of Tourism. The race is held with the certification of SEGAS, WORDATHLETICS and the International Marathon Road Federation AIMS, on an excellent coastal route that highlights the sights of Rhodes in the best way.

The start of the races will be at 7.30 in the morning and the estimated end, with the award ceremony, at 2.00 in the afternoon.

For the Marathon road, the start and finish will be at Eleftherias Square, Vomos tis patridas. This is a circular route of approximately 21 kilometers, which the runners will have to cover twice.

‘As for the Half Marathon, the distance that the participants will cover is approximately 21 kilometers, on a circular route, with the start and finish at Eleftherias Square, Vomos tis patridas.

The 10km Road Race will have the same starting and finishing points, while the 5km Race will start at 11.50 from Rimini Square and will finish at Eleftherias Square, Altar of the Fatherland.

Finally, the races include a 5km walking route and a 1km race for students.

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