The second edition of our three-day ultra running event, covering a total distance of 104 kilometres.

The race is addressed to runners who would like to test themselves against an ultra distance but haven’t dared to do so yet, and to runners who are used to handling the fatigue of long distances, with a race that appears easy but is really not! Tihio Stage Race is open to fast and slow runners who are not afraid to test their limits in a very different challenge.

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The 1st day’s race will start at the seaside village of Sergoula Doridos, with the route following a beautiful trail with a view of the sea practically all the way. After 17 kilometres and 1000 m of ascent, the race finishes (with a 4-hour cut-off time) at the seaside village of Marathias. At the end of the day, all runners are transferred to Tihio village, where they can spend the night at the camp-site established for this purpose. All of the amenities required by ultra-runners will be provided there, to ensure that you can rest and recover, and start the second day refreshed.

Route description: Day 1

SERGOULA BEACH - SERGOULA - PYRGOS - MARATHIAS

A beautiful mountain route that starts and finishes by the sea. The distance is 17 km, with a total ascent of 1000 m.

The route starts at Sergoula beach, where you will run on an asphalt road running parallel to the sea and past a picturesque little fishing village. After 1 km (before the river), turn left (north) onto a small dirt road. To your right, you will have a view of Sergoulopotamos river, and old watermills, an ruined aqueduct etc. to your left. Pass under the highway using the underpass (100 m.) and continue onto a dirt road running parallel to olive-groves.

The uphill trail starts after the 2nd kilometre. The incline gets gradually steeper and the terrain is rough and rocky. At the 4th km., you will come to a water channel and follow it on an almost flat footpath. Cross the bridge and you will soon reach a plane forest with old watermill buildings. Follow the dirt road for a while, until you reach Sergoula village, at km 5.2 (altitude 460 m.). This is where you will find the 1st aid station.

Take the uphill footpath, which is interrupted by a dirt road. The incline becomes very steep. At km 8, you will reach the race’s highest point, at 860 m. This is also the starting-point of the downhill section, within a forested area. The 10th km moves very steeply downhill, so watch your step. Eventually, at km 11 you will reach Pyrgos village (altitude 480 m), where you will find the 2nd aid station.

The trail you take after you leave the village (southwards) is very beautiful. There is an excellent view of the Gulf of Corinth, and a mild incline, suitable for high speeds. It is a dry-stone footpath, but the last section has been destroyed by a dirt road (built for the wind turbines). This means that you will run the last 3 km to Marathias village, on a dirt road. The finish line is on the beach at Marathias.

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Route description: Day 2

A full description of the 2nd day’s route is provided in Marathon 57km – Wolf’s Race (click on the link for further information).

The third day’s race is 30 km long, with an ascent of 1650 metres and a 7-hour cut-off. The race starts in Vraila village, and ends in the amphitheatre in Tihio village. This last day is perhaps the trickiest, as some experienced runners would say. The combination of the high temperatures at this time of year, and the previous days’ fatigue, leave no margin for error for any of the runners.

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Route description: Day 3

Tihio – Hani Reresis – Varnakova – Agios Arsenios – Filothei – Tihio

30km / +1500m positive elevation

The 3rd and final route of the Tihio Stage Race 30km highlights the Holy Monastery of Panagia Varnakova where there is a women's monastery since 1077 with a special historical interest.

The start of the 3rd day will be given at the "Theatraki" of Tihio at 08:00 am and descends initially on a dirt road and then a path to the main road (Hani Reresis) where there is the 1st aid station (4.5km). Then we continue on asphalt for 200m, where caution is required, and we enter a path that is initially uphill next to a stream and then gentle. After 1km, a steep uphill slope begins that leads to a gently downhill dirt road. At the 8th km, we cross the asphalt road vertically (be careful) and enter a downhill path for 800m. We climb up a steep slope (after the stream) to the Varnakova Monastery. We follow the path in a lush green environment and end up at the Monastery where the 2nd station is located (13 km).

From there, we continue on a dirt road to Agios Arsenios small church where there is a checkpoint. We return for 200m and climb up the dirt road that will then become downhill and will lead us to the asphalt. We run 200m downhill on the asphalt road and take the right path (sign to Paleokastro). Then we descend on a dirt path called “Kalogeriki Strata” to the village of Filothei where the 3rd station is in the village square (20.3km).

From there we leave for 450m on asphalt and climb to our left on a dirt road. At a left turn we leave straight on a path that leads us to the main road (location Fasoula intersection). We run for 970km on asphalt where on our right there is an entrance to a dirt road (it led to an old quarry) to Moutounia. We follow the route entering an old damaged dirt road and leave it to enter a path that leads to Agios Panteleimonas. From there we descend to the small theater in Tihio where we finish. The total distance is 30km with a time limit of 7 hours.

Certainly the fatigue is great as we complete 104km in three racing days, but the success of completing the only Stage race in Greece is the best reward!!!

TIHIO STAGE RACE - RACE PACKAGES

* The all-inclusive package is available for up to 40 persons.