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About Schiniathlon What’s that … “Schiniathlon” ? Schiniathlon is a Triathlon Series which is set up in the Bay of Schinias, Marathonas, Greece! The Triathlon of Schinias Bay has been launched in May 2007. Back in 2007, there were no open-events in Greece for athletes to take part in triathlons (or their variations, such as duathlons and aquathlons). As of today, Schiniathlon is still the UNIQUE Triathlon / Duathlon / Aquathlon series of Greece which is open to all. Marie came from other countries, where triathlons were as wide-spread as running events for the casual amateur athlete. Something nice to do on a Sunday! When she arrived in Greece, she was... stunned that there was NOT ONE event like that available for the amateur athletes !! She decided to launch the 1st event of Schiniathlon in May 2007, with the help of the Moraitis Sports Centre, who offered its premises to host the event. Schiniathlon was born. And its growth is phenomenal… Today the events are organised jointly by Marie and husband Leonidas – and as of now, still hosted by the Moraitis Sports Centre in Schinias Bay. The Spirit and Statement of the Schiniathlon is as follow:
The concept of Triathlon / Multi-sports events is very new in Greece. There is no widespread awareness of the sport within the general public yet, the sport is still very much confidential - even within the sport-addicts and outdoors athletes. In other countries, triathlon has known an unbelievable growth, un-matched by any other sports. The longest triathlon format named “Ironman” attracts thousands of athletes at each event, and millions of spectators around the world. Greece however happens to be the ultimate ideal environment for the practice of such a sport. If you think about it, Triathlon was born in San-Diego and Hawaii, home of similarly hot climates, beautiful landscapes and pure blue sea… In other countries, races organized in the spirit of the Schiniathlon are called the “Discovery Races” or “Fun Tri” and the format is usually kept very short. Schiniathlon offers 2 formats for the athletes. A “Discovery” race for the 1st-timers or un-experienced athletes, with small distances, and no time-limits. And a “Long event” for more experienced athletes looking for a real challenge, with longer distances and time-limits.
The Duathlon is made of run-bike-run (in succession). The triathlon is a swim-bike-run. And the Aquathlon is a mere swim-run. The 1st Edition, in Spring 2007, attracted a field of 55 athletes, most of them new to the sport. In 2008 Schiniathlon reached 160 athletes. In 2009, our first events (Winter and Spring) attracted 230 athletes each time. Schiniathlon now is settled in a cycle of 4 events per year: Winter - Spring – Summer - Autumn Schiniathlon is now the portal for triathletes in Greece. We receive athletes from Turkey, Bulgaria, England and Switzerland at each event. Schiniathlon is supported mainly by his major sponsor (Multirama) and a variety of small but un-defectible sponsors (coca-cola 3E, GU Gels, Figame Travel, Izzyrace etc…) Schiniathlon now attracts more spectators than athletes (each event attracts on average 250 spectators – for 230 athletes) Schiniathlon, via its Forum (available from its website) organises side projects : in 2008, we formed a Team of 14 Greeks to go an compete at a ½ Ironman Event in Austria (1.9k swim – 90k bike – 21k run).
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