3rd LAKEDAEMONIAN RACE
                        BYZANTINE CASTLES
               MYSTRA - GERAKI - MONEMVASIA
​                      128 km.
            3rd LAKEDAEMONIAN RACE (The Castles)
The International Association of Long Distance Races “THE IMMORTALS” with the cooperation and assistance of the Municipality of Monemvasia, the Municipality of Evrota and the Municipality of Sparta, and with the support of the SPARTAN  RUNNERS, and the APS Kallistheni of the Municipality of Evrota
 
 PROCLAIM
The 3rd LAKEDAMONIO RACE – 128 km long distance race. The Byzantine Castles of Mystras – Geraki – Monemvasia.
 
 
DATE OF PERFORMANCE: Saturday, 23rd March and Sunday, 24th March 2024.
START TIME: 10.00 (10am) on March 23rd, 2024!
RACE START: Mystras - Mystras Castle (Central Lower Gate of Mystras Castle, the Gate in question is about 1.5 km after the community of Mystras, on the road to Kalamata, it is the 1st Gate you meet after Mystras)
FINISH: Monemvasia – Monemvasia Castle (Elkomenos Christos Square - Canon position)
COMPETITION DEADLINE: 20 hours are set - until
06.00 in the morning on Sunday, 24th March 2024!
RACE MILEAGE: 128 km ALL on an asphalt road.
ROUTE INFORMATION: The LAKEDAMONIOS race takes place every 2 years, alternating with the Tour of Mani, around the same time of the year! The entire race will be on a paved route starting in Mystras (Central Lower Gate of Mystras) and ending in Monemvasia - inside the Castle!!! It will connect the 3 Byzantine castles of Laconia – Mystras, Geraki and Monemvasia, which flourished during the Byzantine period and were used to communicate with each other, since through the Geraki castle, all 3 could have visual contact! The route which the race will follow is as follows: Mystras - Sparta - Chrysafa - Kalloni - Goritsa - Ag. Anargyri – Geraki – Alepochori – Ag. Dimitrios Zarakos – Crossroads Kremastis – Lampokampos – Reichia – Ag. Ioannis Zarakos – Gerakas – Port of Gerakas – Arriana – Palaia Monemvasia – Ag. Ioannis of Monemvasia – Monemvasia – Monemvasia Castle!
The kilometers of the race are 128, of which the last 250 meters are inside the Castle of Monemvasia where the finish line is!
RACE TIME LIMIT: The hours required to complete your race are 20! You should have finished by 04.00 in the morning of Sunday, 24th March 2024 inside the Castle of Monemvasia! A possible time extension will be given, in case of adverse weather conditions, and you will be informed during the race!
 
ALTITUDE OF THE RACE: The race starts at 420 meters above sea level, and ends at 125 meters above sea level! The highest altitude the race reaches is the 981 meters, which is at the 73rd km of the race! The total positive altitude of the race is at 2,114 meters, while the negative altitude is at 2,461 meters – inside the race website, in the Maps – Diagrams section, is the altitude of the race per km!
EXCLUSION POINTS are ALL the stations including the station in the village of Chrysafa- EVERY station is a cutter, except the unmanned ones and except the last one!
DRINKS STATIONS: The race has 25 drinks stations, 22 of which are manned with volunteers, and 3 without volunteers, where there will only be water! Possibly one of these 3 stations will also be manned by volunteers!
 
 
The 25 stations in question are as follows:

1. 7th km SPARTA FIRE BRIGADE STATION, only with water (not a exclusion point)
2. 12.5th km BOUGA LIME PLANT, with water and COCA COLA (not an exclusion point)
3. 16.8th km. AGHIA PARASKEVI CHURCH, with water, COCA COLA, Isotonic (not an exclusion point)
4. 21.5th km. CHRYSAFA – Square, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, fruit (1st exclusion point - You must be there by 13.00)
5. 25.5th km KALLONI, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty food, sweets (You must be there by 13.45)
6. 32.3rd km. GORITSA, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, boiled potato (You must be there by 14.30)
7. 38.5th km. AGIOI ARANGYROI (Bus stop), with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, fruits (You must be there by 15.30)
8. 43.8th km. CROSSROADS towards KALLITHEA – Provincial road to Geraki, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets. (You must be there by 16.15)
9. 47.5th km. GERAKI (Square), with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, pasta, fruits (You must be there by 17:00 p.m.) - AT THE STATION IN QUESTION the shorter RACE ENDS - THE THIRD ROAD OF GERAKI
10. 55.0th km. ALEPOCHORI (Monument), with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, rice, fruits. (You must be there by 18.15)
11.  62.0 km. Aghios DIMITRIOS (Square), with water,  COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, pasta, fruits (You must be there by 19.15)
12. 66.0 km Mandri towards Kremasti, with water (unmanned station - NOT A EXCLUSION POINT)
13. 72.5th km. KOMBOS KREMASTIS, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets (You must be there by 20.30)
14. 75.0 km Provincial Road to Lambocambo, with water (unmanned station - NOT A POINT OF EXCLUSION)
15. 80.0 km Provincial Road to Lambocampo, with water (unmanned station - NOT EXCLUSION POINT)
16. 83.5th km. LAMPOKAMPOS (Square), with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, coffee, tea, fruits (You must be there by 22.00)
17. 89.0th km WIND TURBINE EXIT , with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets (You must be there by 23.00)
18. 93.0 km REIHIA (Square), water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, soup, coffee, tea, fruits(You must be there by 23.45)
19. 100.0 km AGHIOS IOANNIS – Koulouri point, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, coffee, tea, soup, fruits. (You must be there by 01.00)
20. 102.5th km HIERAKAS, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets, coffee, tea (You must be there by 01.30)
21. 105.0 km GERAKA PORT JUNCTION, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks (You must be there by 02.00)
22. 110.0th km. Ariana, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty, sweets (You must be there by 02.45)
23. 116th km OLD MONEMVASIA, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets. (You must be there by 04.00)
24. 120.0 km (300 meters before the Molaoi - Monemvasia junction), with water, Coca Cola, salty foods, sweets. (You must be there by 02.45)116th km PALAIA MONEMVASIA, with water, COCA COLA, isotonic drinks, salty foods, sweets (You must be there by 04.45)
25. 126th km Monemvasia Bridge (water) - NO EXCLUSION POINT
26. 128th km (FINISH - MONEMVASIA CASTLE): You must be there by 06.00

Possibly some of the above stations have additional food items than listed! 
 
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA: To be eligible to take part in the 3rd LAKEDAMONIO RACE 128 km. you must meet one of the following competition criteria, which must have occurred within the last three-year period 2021 - 2024:
1) To have finished any long-distance race in Greece or abroad, over 50 km, within the time limit given by the organizers
2) To have finished any mountain trail race, on rough terrain, of more than 40 km, within the time limit given by the organizers.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT RUNNERS WHO  NOT COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE CRITERIA, NOT  REGISTER, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
SIGNAGE: The race will be marked with yellow paint for the well-known arrows and the corresponding well-known X, as well as the mileage of the route, which is indicated every 5 km. These signs will be discerned after your exit the city of Sparta at about the 8th km.! THERE WILL BE NO SIGNS UP TO THAT POINT , AND THE POLICE WILL SHOW YOU THE DIRECTION TO FOLLOW!
DOCTOR: On the route there will be specialized doctors, in order to intervene where necessary!
SOUVENIR GIFTS: Rich souvenir gifts will be given to ALL WHO PARTICIPATE, whether they finish or not! The gifts will be a souvenir t-shirt, buff, backpack, etc. The gifts in question will be given at the race secretariat as well as your participation package! All finishers will be given a race medal as well as a commemorative diploma! Prizes with the race logo will be given to the first six (6) men and the first three (3) women!
 
MEALS FOR THE ATHLETES: A PASTA - PARTY will be served before the start of the race, at CAFÉ - RESTAURANT XENIA MYSTRAS, which is located approximately 700 meters before the start of the race, on the provincial road Mystras - Kalamata, and approximately one km after the Community of Mystras, on the provincial road Mystras - Kalamata! The PASTA – PARTY will start from 18.30 on the eve of the race 22/3/2024 and will end at 21.30 - with the end of the secretariat! The race secretariat will also be located in the restaurant where the numbers will be given from 18.00 - 21.30 on the eve of the race 22/3/2024! A light lunch will follow after your finish, at the Castle of Monemvasia!
SECRETARIAT – TECHNICAL RACE UPDATE: The race secretariat will operate at CAFÉ – RESTAURANT XENIA MYSTRAS, which is located approximately 700 meters before the start of the race, on the provincial road Mystras – Kalamata, approximately 1 km after the Community of Mystras going towards Kalamata! In this area, you will be able to leave any things you wish to find at one of the race stations, where you will be provided with the corresponding useful bags, in order to provide you with the best service!
The secretariat will be open on the following days and hours:
- Friday 22/3/2024, from 18.30 hrs to 21.30 hrs.
- Saturday 23/3/2024, from 08.00 hrs  to 09.30 hrs.
 
 
START OF THE RACE: The start will take place at 10.00, from the Central Lower Gate of the Castle of Mystras on Saturday, 23rd March, and after we have headed there, after the completion of the secretariat's operation during the morning hours! If you have come from the previous day (Friday) to the race, you can head straight to the race start area!
DROP BAGS: In the race secretariat, you will be able to deposit the things you wish to find at some other stations! There will be special bags for ALL the stations where you can put your items, EXCEPT for the first three and the last one, stations No. 20 and No. 22, at the 102nd and 110th km respectively, AND at THE THREE UNMANNED STATIONS! At every one else you will be able to leave whatever you wish! Also while you go pass at a station, you will be able to leave anything you wish and it will be returned to you  at the end of the race, at the finish line, and after the race has been closed for good – after 04.00 in the morning of March 24th!
RACE Broom (vehicle) FOR DROPOUTS: Behind the last athletes is the race broom vehicle which will pick up all those who drop out and do not have their own accompanying vehicle! The vehicle in question, for those who do not have an escort and quit up to and before Geraki, will bring you to Geraki, and return you to the start of the race, together with those who have completed the shorter race, and will take you back by coach to Mystras in order to take your vehicles!
RACE AWARD : The awards of the race will take place during the race, at around 00.00 midnight and after the predicted number of athletes who will have finished in the respective positions in order to start the award ceremony at the finish area, in Monenvasia Main square (Canon), inside the Castle! There the first ones will be awarded their medals and trophies! The medals of the others along with the finishing diplomas will be given when they complete the race!
ACCOMMODATION: The organization of the race is not involved at all with the accommodation of the athletes. Athletes who wish, can stay  on the eve of the race either in Mystras or in Sparta, or after their finish, in one of the many hotels that exist in Monemvasia inside and outside the Castle, at their own expense. However, the organization will have taken care, for the bathing of the athletes for those who wish, in an adjacent hotel, close to the end of the race! It is advisable for those who wish to participate in our race, to come on the eve of the race, in order to have the best rest, but also to participate in the pasta party of our race!
 
RACE REGISTRATION: To sign up, you should do so at the following link:
https://results.chronolog.gr/registrationc1.aspx?h=34a446f03f25f92a399532fb9787f32b&l=GR
​
Until Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, at 12.00 noon!
NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY OF THE RACE.
 
 
PARTICIPATION COST: The cost for anyone who wants to participate in the 3rd LAKEDAEMONIAN RACE is as follows:
-€90.00 and includes all race benefits, plus your eventual return to the start of the race by coach of the organization
-€110.00 and includes all race benefits, plus your transport from Athens, before and after the race
You are invited to deposit the amount in question, by Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, in order for your participation to be considered valid to the following PIRAEUS BANK account number: 5073-063798-547, IBAN: GR08 0172 0730 0050 7306 3798 547 - BANKING COSTS ARE BURDENED BY THE DEPOSITOR!
Beneficiary's name: GORANITIS PAVLOS (Please indicate your name in the depository. By noting only your name in the depository, we will be given the possibility to cross check your payment.) or you can present the bank receipt, at the OLYMPUS sports awards store, located at 124 Alexandrou Papanastasiou Avenue, PIRAEUS, from 09.00 – 16.00 every day, except Saturdays and Sundays (tel. 215 5408840).
Anyone who has not paid the price of their participation by the stipulated date (20/03/2024), their registration is considered invalid and they cannot take part in the race.
Payments on the day of the race will not be accepted!!!
ATHLETES' ESCORTS: Certainly, any athlete who wishes, will be able to have an escort with their own vehicle! Definitely, the escorts in question will be able to follow their athlete, ONLY AT THE DRINKS STATIONS, and NOT DURING THE COMPETITION, OR NEXT TO THEM! The escorts must be fully aware of the rules of the race, and must comply with the instructions of the organizing committee! ESCORTS DO NOT REQUIRE EXTRA COST!
 
TRANSPORTATION FROM ATHENS: There will be a transport transfer with the bus of the organization from the Athens! The transport will be at the 04.45 the morning of the 23th March - Saturday!The bus will begin to come at 04.45 the morning to bring you at the Mystras! The return of the runners, will be at 06.00 - 06.30 of the Sunday morning , and after all the runners will have finished
 
TRANSPORTATION OF ATHLETES TO THE START OF THE RACE: Those who come with their own vehicle to the start of the race, and do not have a way to get back there, after the end of the race approximately after 06.00 in the morning, you will be able to make use of our bus to go back to the start of the race, at XENIA MYSTRA! In order to make use of the bus in question, we would like you to send us an email requesting this, to the email of the organization [email protected]!
REGULATIONS OF THE RACE: Within the site of the race (www.lakoniaultrarunning.com), are in detail all the regulations of the race, which you must abide by, regulations that are in line with the rules governing all ultra-distance races! Please read them carefully for the best functioning of the race!
 
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS: All athletes are required to have a recent medical examination and be in good health. Also, those who take part in the race and upon receiving their number, should sign the necessary declaration, that they are running at their own risk.
 
  
RACE PROGRAMME
Friday, 22/03/2024.
18.30: SECRETARIAT OPENING AT XENIA & PASTA PARTY IN XENIA RESTAURANT.
21.30  : SECRETARIAT CLOSING.
 
Saturday, 23/03/2024.
08.00 am: OPENING OF SECRETARIAT AT XENIA.
09.30 am: CLOSING OF SECRETARIAT AT XENIA.
10.00 am: RACE STARTS
22.00:  EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF 1ST ATHLETE.
00.00 - 01.00 am: SCHEDULED TIME OF AWARDS OF WINNERS AND WINNERS
Sunday 24/03/2024
06.00 am: COMPLETION OF THE RACE.
06.15 - 06.30 am: COACH BACK TO THE START OF THE RACE IN MYSTRAS
DETAILS FOR INFORMATION: You can refer to the race website, www.lakoniaultrarunning.com
For information, call 00306955985506/ 00306936853165 (Goranitis Pavlos)  Or email [email protected]