On Sunday, April 19, 2026, approximately 800 runners of all ages gathered in the historic city of Sparta for the second race of the Run Greece series. The event commenced at the iconic statue of Leonidas, guiding participants through a scenic route that showcased both historical and modern landmarks of the city.
10 km Race Highlights
In the 10 km race, Christos Kallias dominated from the start, crossing the finish line first with an impressive time of 32:04, shattering the previous course record. Following him was Alexandros Manifavas, who finished in 32:47, and in third place, Theodoros Vlachos completed the race in 33:54.
On the women’s side, Nora Honkala from Finland secured first place, mirroring her victory from the previous year with a time of 37:11, also breaking her own course record. Athanasia Kokkourou finished second with a time of 38:27, while Lela Kehagia took third place at 43:38.
5 km Race Insights
The 5 km race proved to be thrilling, particularly in the men’s category, where Alexandros Manifavas clinched first place with a time of 16:04, just one second ahead of Babis Lagos, who finished second. Nikos Bilianos rounded out the top three with a time of 16:19.
In the women’s race, Athanasia Kokkourou also triumphed, finishing first with a time of 17:30. Eugenia Papadimatos followed closely in second place at 17:48, while Angeliki Christakou secured third with a time of 19:55.
Children’s Race and Family Run
As is tradition in these events, the children’s race provided a delightful opportunity for young participants to engage in a festive atmosphere. The event culminated in the Family Run, allowing parents and guardians to join their children in a shared running experience.
The mayor of Sparta, Michalis Vakalopoulos, expressed gratitude to SEGAS for their collaboration and wished all participants success, highlighting that «this race heralds more to come.» Kostas Vinatselas, president of the SEGAS Peloponnese Regional Association, also thanked the municipality for their support and wished the runners well.
The success of the event was further bolstered by the invaluable contributions of volunteers, including the Lyceum of Greek Women, the Red Cross, and Spartan Med, which provided ambulance services.
This event not only celebrates athletic achievement but also fosters community spirit and engagement, marking a significant occasion in the local calendar.
