Sporting institution
Spetses Mini Marathon
Every October, Spetses welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors from around the world for the **Spetses Mini Marathon** — an established institution of sports tourism held under the auspices of the Municipality of Spetses.
The institution
An established annual event held since 2011, taking place every October on the island of Spetses.
- More than 5,000 athletes participate each year.
- Participants from 42 countries (2018 figures).
- One of the leading sports-tourism institutions in Greece.
The races
The event includes running races, open-water swimming and children's races:
- Running races: 5km, 10km, 25km.
- Open-water swimming races: 1.5km, 3km, 5km.
- Kids' races: running (500m, 1,000m) and swimming (150m, 300m).
Why Spetses
Spetses offers unique conditions for sporting events:
- A car-free island, ideal for sporting events.
- A 25 km perimeter road that circles the entire island.
- Historic maritime heritage and natural beauty.
Organization
The event is organized through cooperation between multiple bodies:
- Organized by Communication Lab.
- Under the auspices of the Municipality of Spetses.
- With the support of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and hundreds of local volunteers.
International awards
The event has received international recognition:
- Ruban d'Honneur, European Business Awards 2015.
- Sports Tourism Award, Greek Tourism Awards 2014.
- The largest open-water swimming event in Europe (since 2013).
Information and registration
The full programme, registration and detailed information for all races are available on the official organizer site.
Moments from the Spetses Mini Marathon
Race Categories
Running races
Three running distances along the island's perimeter road:
- 5 km — introductory distance, open to amateur runners.
- 10 km — the event's most popular distance.
- 25 km — full island loop, for experienced athletes.Swimming races
Open-water swimming races in the bay of Spetses:
- 1.5 km — introductory distance.
- 3 km — mid distance.
- 5 km — the largest open-water swimming event in Europe (since 2013).Kids races
Races specifically designed for children, with distances adapted to age groups:
- Running: 500 m and 1,000 m.
- Swimming: 150 m and 300 m.
