The internationally-renowned OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO is looking forward to welcoming 13,000 participants to the streets of Limassol on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March 2017. A two-day event for the first time in its 11-year history, the organisers are promising a full weekend celebration of running, superb crowd support and plenty of entertainment for spectators and runners alike.
The OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO is much loved for being fast and flat, covering long stretches of straight, traffic-free road, including the spectacular coastal road of greater Limassol. This makes it an ideal race for first time marathon runners as well as for elite athletes looking to achieve a PB, many of whom come from the world over to #RunLimassol and enjoy the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere.
In addition to the 26.2-mile OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, the event comprises five other races which gives runners of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy Cyprus’ largest sporting event.
Kicking off race weekend at 9am on Saturday 18th March will be the highly anticipated PrimeTel 5K Corporate Race. The most popular race at the 2016 event, the Corporate Race sees business teams from all backgrounds compete against each other and enjoy the unique team building opportunity and increased fitness in the workplace that the race offers. This year the Corporate Race will enjoy a new coastal route along Limassol’s stunning seafront.
Following on from the Corporate Race will be the Andrey and Julia Dashin’s 1KM Youth Race at 11am. A great chance for young runners between 6 to 16 years to join in the fun, the Youth Race follows a short and easy route around the promenade at Molos.
The sporting action continues on Sunday 19th March with the AIMS-accredited OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, the Petrolina 10K Energy Race and the 5K City Race, all of which set off at 7am. Together the races offer a complete sporting experience which is very much embraced by the thousands of participants and spectators who come to the start line to cheer on the contestants.
The sponsors’ village will be located at the Old Port at Molos and will be open from Thursday to Saturday, 9am – 6pm.
The Petrolina Energy Day will take place at the sponsors’ village from noon on the Saturday, and promises to be one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. With free entry to all, the Petrolina Energy Day will feature a range of sporting and leisure activities for children and adults, including fitness, yoga and children’s sports games. Extra services such as a bar, entertainment, advice on nutrition and health, physiotherapy, and blood sugar and blood pressure testing from qualified physicians will make this an inspiring addition to marathon weekend for visitors of all ages.
Key Race Weekend Timings – OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO:
Thursday 16th March
09.00-18.00 Registration Offices are open
Friday 17th March
09.00-18.00 Registration Offices are open
19.00 1st Cyprus Running Community Forum at Cyprus University of Technology
Saturday 18th March
09.00-18.00 Registration Offices are open
09.00 PrimeTel 5K Corporate Race start
11.00 Audrey and Julia Dashin’s Foundation 1KM Youth Race start
12.00-16:00 Petrolina Energy Day starts in the sponsor village
17:00 Pasta party
Sunday 19th March
07:00 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO start
07.00 Half Marathon start
07.00 Petrolina 10K Energy Race start
07.00 5K City Race start
11.00 Prize giving for the winners of the marathon race
08:00-22:00 Party and after party by Guaba Beach Bar in the sponsor village
Generous cash prizes are on offer at the 2017 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, with the male and female winners of the Marathon each collecting €2,000 (on the condition that their time is under 2:17:22 for men and 2:50:00 for women). If the winner also breaks the course record, which is currently 02:13:29 for men and 02:38:56 for women, they will receive double the amount and take home €4,000.
The first male and female athlete from each age category in the Marathon, Half Marathon, Petrolina 10K Energy Race and 5K City Race will receive a trophy. Age categories are: 18-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70+.
The first three teams with the best time at the PrimeTel 5K Corporate Challenge will receive a trophy, and a special trophy will be awarded to the largest team.
The organisers of the OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO have confirmed that places are still available for anyone still wishing to sign up and be a part of this popular sporting event.
OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO Race Director Andreas Spyrou commented: “We are excited that the 2017 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO is fast approaching, and we have been working hard to ensure that this year’s event is the biggest and best yet. The event will take place over two days and we are all set to deliver a superb weekend of sport and entertainment for our local and international guests.
“We are honoured to have so many runners from all over the world registered at this year’s event and to welcome many runners who are coming to experience their first race, having chosen Limassol for its attractive course, pleasant climate, magnificent coastal scenery and plentiful history and culture. The choice of race distances really sets OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO apart from other international races as it enables friends and family of all ages and abilities to enjoy a weekend away together.
“We are delighted to have the support of many well-known sponsors, supporters and national bodies. With just over one week to go, we are accepting last-minute entries and would encourage athletes to register now in order to guarantee their place on the start line of this unmissable two-day event.”
Tomasz Klisz, winner of the 2016 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, added, “I chose to enter the event last year because it offered a great place to run whilst enjoying a little holiday. I was very impressed with the location and the course, and it was great to see so many happy people during the race.”
Tomasz Klisz won the 2016 men’s marathon title with a time of 2:41:47 and the women’s marathon title was won by Sylwia Bondara in 3:12:40. Both runners were from Poland.
OPAP returns as Title Sponsor for the 2017 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, followed by a host of high profile gold, silver and media sponsors and supporters.
Entry for all races is still open, with individual race places costing 60 euros for the marathon, 45 euros for the half marathon, and 30 euros for the Petrolina 10K Energy Race and 5K City Race. A team of four entering the PrimeTel 5K Corporate Race costs 300 euros. The 1K Youth Race is free.
Go to http://www.limassolmarathon.com/ for further race details and to register now.
Like the Facebook page and follow @RunLimassol #RunLimassol #weadvance on Twitter to keep up-to-date with all the latest news about Limassol Marathon GSO.
