POLYGYROS RUN HALKIDIKI – ORGANIZED BY HALKIDIKI HEALTH RUNNERS CLUB
2027 RACE ANNOUNCEMENT – INFORMATION AND TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
The Halkidiki Health Runners Association is organizing the 11th POLYGYROS RUN HALKIDIKI 2027, with the aim of promoting and fostering the spirit of sport, while showcasing the natural beauty of the area.
The Race is held with the support of the Halkidiki Armed Forces Reservists Club, the Hellenic Police, the Municipality of Polygyros Volunteer Registry, the Women’s Volunteer Group for Community Development of the Municipality of Polygyros, the Polygyros Women’s Association for Recreation, Community Engagement and Events, the Taxiarchis Women’s Association, the Polygyros Dance Club, the Polygyros Folklore Club, the Polygyros Sports Chess Club, Niki Polygyrou, the Polygyros Athletic Club, Aetoi Ormylia, the Polygyros Pontian Association, the Polygyros Cretan Association, the Polygyros Animal Welfare, Cultural & Environmental Association, the Polygyros Junior High School, the Tourism Organization, the Halkidiki Physical Education Office, as well as other local organizations and associations in our area.
It is held under the auspices of the Regional Unit of Halkidiki, the Municipality of Polygyros, and the Chamber of Commerce of Halkidiki.
The Event Includes 4 Races:
1. 14,4 km Mountain & City Run, starting at 17:30
2. 5 km City Race, running or power walking, starting at 17:40
3. 1000 m Kids’ Race for children born in 2018, 2019 and 2020, starting at 16:45
4. 1000 m Kids’ Race for children born in 2015, 2016 and 2017, starting at 17:00
All participants, as well as the parents or legal guardians of minors, must accept and agree to the following terms and conditions:
RACE DATE
The races will take place on Saturday, 28 August 2027
START / FINISH
The start and finish for all 4 races will take place at Heroes’ Square in Polygyros, next to the Polygyros Archaeological Museum.
Starting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LTwoYDtA89sJLRJB8
FINISH TIME LIMITS
For the 14,4 km Race, the time limit for completion is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The time limit for the 5 km race is 1 hour.
After the time limits have expired, participants are no longer covered by the organizers and continue at their own risk, on the sidewalk or at the edge of the road. In case of any delay at the start, the finish time limits remain as stated above.
AGE CATEGORIES
Participants aged 15 years and over may take part in the 14,4 km Race. For participants aged 15–18, parental or legal guardian consent is required. The parent or legal guardian must complete the relevant consent form, thereby assuming responsibility for the minor’s participation and confirming that the minor is in good health and fit to participate in the race.
Participants aged 12 and above can take part in the 5 km race. For minor participants aged 12-18, parental or guardian consent is required by completing the relevant declaration, in which they assume responsibility for the participation and the good health condition of the minors.
The 1000 m Kids’ Race is open to children in two age categories: 1st Category: Children born in 2018, 2019 and 2020. 2nd Category: Children born in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Parental or legal guardian consent is required. The parent or legal guardian must complete the relevant consent form, thereby assuming responsibility for the child’s participation and confirming that the child is in good health and fit to participate in the race.
REGISTRATION
If the Registration Form is not submitted, participation will not be considered valid.
Registration for all four races must be completed online through the dedicated Registration Form available on the official race website www.polygyrosrun.gr. All required information must be entered in the online registration form. After reviewing and confirming the information provided, participants must submit their registration by clicking the “Finish” button at the end of the form.
For the two 1000 m Kids’ Races only, registration may also be completed by submitting a handwritten registration form on Friday, 27 August 2027, at Heroes’ Square (Plateia Iroon) in Polygyros, from 19:00 to 21:00, as well as on Saturday, from 14:00 to 16:00, at the Race Secretariat.
For the 14,4 km and 5 km races, group registrations are available for groups of 10 or more participants, regardless of the race entered (e.g. 7 participants in the 5 km race + 3 participants in the 14,4 km race). For clubs, associations, teams, businesses, organizations, gyms, groups of friends, etc., the Group Registration Coordinator must complete the relevant Group Registration Form and send it by email to the Association at polygyrosrun@gmail.com
The Group Registration Responsible Coordinator assumes responsibility for the participants they register regarding their good health condition and their agreement with the event’s Terms of Participation.
Online registrations will remain open until Monday, 23 August 2027, at 20:00. After this date and time, online registration will be closed.
A limited number of on-site registrations for the 5 km and 14,4 km races will be available on race day (Saturday) at the Race Secretariat, from 14:00 to 16:00, subject to the availability of race bibs.
Participants must register for only one race of their choice. Simultaneous registration for both the 5 km and 14,4 km races is strictly prohibited. If a participant registers for both races, both registrations will be cancelled.
ENTRY FEE
Participation in the Children’s Races is free of charge.
The entry fee for the 14,4 km race is 15 euros.
The entry fee for the 5 km race is 10 euros.
For group registrations of 10 or more participants, the entry fee is €12 per participant for the 14,4 km race and €8 per participant for the 5 km race.
Registrations are considered valid and complete only when the corresponding fees have been fully paid.
The winners of the Overall and Age Categories of the 10th Polygyros Run 2026 are entitled to free entry to the 11th Polygyros Run 2027.
Please note that free entry applies only to the actual winners of the Overall and Age Categories, and not to participants who received an award in an Age Category due to the exclusion of Overall Category winners from Age Category awards.
In addition, all participants in the 14,4 km race of the 10th Polygyros Run 2026 are entitled to free entry to the 11th Polygyros Run 2027.
RACE AMENITIES (14,4 km, 5 km and 1000 m Races)
Electronic Timing, Volunteers, Refreshment Stations, Technical T-Shirts, Medical Coverage, Rescuers, Vehicles, Medical Support, Awards with Trophies, and a Commemorative Medal for all participants, including those in the children’s races.
For minor participants in the 1000 m Children’s Races, where participation is free, a free T-Shirt is not included. However, if requested, it is available for a fee of 5 euros.
REFRESHMENT STATIONS
For the 14,4 km race, there are three Aid Stations: 1st Aid Station: at the 4 km mark. 2nd Aid Station: at the 9 km mark. 3rd Aid Station: at the 12 km mark. All three Aid Stations will provide bottled water and isotonic sports drinks.
For the 5 km race, there is 1 refreshment station at 2,5 km, offering bottled water.
At the finish line, runners will receive water, juice or isotonic drinks, a banana, and snacks.
REGISTRATION PACK COLLECTION
Race packs, including the timing chip and race bib, may be collected on the day before the race, Friday from 19:00 to 21:00, as well as on race day, Saturday from 14:00 to 16:00, at the start area in Heroes’ Square (Plateia Iroon), where the Race Secretariat will be located. The Race Secretariat will close on Saturday at 16:30. After 16:30, if a registered runner has not collected their race pack, they will be considered absent, their registration will be cancelled, and no refund will be issued. Participants from Polygyros and nearby areas are strongly encouraged to collect their race packs on Friday evening in order to avoid congestion on race day.
AWARDS
The Awards Ceremony for all races will take place at 19:45.
In the 14,4 km Race, awards will be presented to the top three men and top three women in the Overall Classification, as well as to the winners of the following Men’s and Women’s Age Categories: 15–34, 35–49, 50–64, and 65+. For an Age Category to be eligible for awards, there must be at least 10 participants in that category. Winners of the Overall Classification are excluded from the Age Category awards.
In the 5 km City Race, awards will be presented to the top three men and top three women in the Overall Classification, as well as to the winners of the following Men’s and Women’s Age Categories: 13–34, 35–49, 50–64, and 65+. Winners of the Overall Classification are excluded from the Age Category awards.
The 1000 m Kids’ Race will consist of two age categories: 1st Category: Children born in 2018, 2019 and 2020. 2nd Category: Children born in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In each age category, awards will be presented to the top three boys and top three girls.
All runners who finish the race will receive a commemorative medal, including the children.
OTHER TERMS AND INFORMATION
All participants in the 14,4 km Race, the 5 km Race and the Kids’ Races must have undergone a recent medical examination and must complete the relevant declaration included in the registration form, thereby accepting responsibility for any medical incident that may occur during the race. For minors aged 8–18, responsibility is assumed by their parent or legal guardian, who must sign the relevant Parental/Guardian Consent Declaration and submit it together with the registration form. Race packs for minors may only be collected by their parents or legal guardians. The organizers accept no responsibility for any health-related incident occurring during the race that may result from the participant’s failure to undergo appropriate preventive medical screening.
The maximum number of participants across all 4 races is 800. Once this number is reached, registrations will close, and any subsequent participation will not be valid.
In the event that you wish to cancel your participation, please notify us by email at polygyrosrun@gmail.com no later than 23 August 2027, stating your full name, the race distance you registered for, and your intention to cancel your participation. For cancellations made after the registration deadline, the registration fee is non-refundable.
During registration or when collecting the race pack, or later if necessary, the organizers may request additional information (e.g., a copy of an ID) to verify the participants’ details.
All participants in the 14,4 km, 5 km and 1,000 m races must wear their race bib (BIB number) in a clearly visible position on the front of their body throughout the race in order for their participation to be considered valid.
Participants are required to respect the natural environment and must not litter along the race route. Plastic bottles should be disposed of only at the designated Aid Stations, so that they can be collected and sent for recycling.
Participants must comply with the instructions of the judges and organizers; otherwise, they may be disqualified. Any protests are accepted within 15 minutes after finishing, only by the athlete in person, submitted in writing to the race office. Athletes who violate significant rules and participation terms will be disqualified from the current race and may be banned from future races organized by the Halkidiki Health Runners Club.
Participants declare that they agree with the terms and regulations of the race, otherwise, their participation will be canceled.
Runner Pick-Up / Sweep Vehicle:An official vehicle with volunteers will follow the last runners to pick up any athletes who drop out. Those who do not require medical assistance but withdraw can wait at the refreshment stations until the official vehicle returns them to the finish line.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS – CHANGING ROOMS – TOILETS
Participants’ personal belongings will be kept by volunteers in an outdoor area, in the courtyard of the Polygyros Gymnasium, 100 meters from the start line. Valuable items, such as mobile phones or money, are not allowed, and the organizers are not responsible for any loss. Nearby, there are toilets where all necessary hygiene and safety measures will be maintained.
PARKING
Participants travelling from other cities may park at the Municipal Parking Area below the General Hospital of Halkidiki, located approximately 500 metres from the starting point, as well as in the surrounding areas.
ROUTE MAPS
The route maps are available on the race website.
CONSENT FOR PERSONAL DATA
By completing the Registration Form, participants consent to the free use of their name and image by the Organizers, the Media, and the race Sponsors.
RIGHT TO MODIFY – POSTPONE
For reasons of force majeure or emergency (e.g., storm, fire, pandemic, etc.), the Organizers, if deemed necessary for the safe and smooth conduct of the race, have the right to cancel the races, postpone them, change their date, modify the course, adjust the start time, or alter the race regulations.
In the event of a definitive race cancellation due to force majeure, the entry fee will be refunded after deducting any bank transfer charges. If only the race date is changed, the entry fee will not be refunded but will be transferred to the new race date.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE 14,4 KM RACE
Start time: 17:30. The Start and Finish are located at Heroes’ Square (Plateia Iroon) in Polygyros. The 14,4 km Race has a total elevation gain of 557 m and consists of 9,7 km of smooth forest dirt roads on Mount Tsoukalas in Polygyros, with no technical difficulties, and 4,7 km of asphalt roads, both within and outside the town. The race is suitable for intermediate and experienced runners.
The route is exceptionally scenic, combining both urban and mountain terrain and offering panoramic views across Halkidiki, including Kassandra, Sithonia, Mount Athos and Mount Holomontas. The 14,4 km Race is open to all participants aged 15 years and over. By registering for the race, participants confirm that they accept and agree to the race terms and conditions and participate at their own responsibility.
For the 14,4 km Race, there will be three Aid Stations along the route. At the finish area, participants will be provided with bottled water, juice or isotonic sports drinks, and bananas.
The time limit for finishing is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The entry fee for the 14,4 km Race is €15 and must be paid upon submission of the registration form.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION – 5 KM CITY RACE
Start time: 17:40. The Start and Finish are located at Heroes’ Square (Plateia Iroon) in Polygyros. The 5 km City Race follows a route through the main streets and notable landmarks of Polygyros.
The route is asphalted and is suitable for beginner or experienced 5 km runners, students, hikers, club members (not necessarily athletic), and generally anyone who wishes to participate in a running event, either by running or brisk walking.
All participants are welcome to join the 5 km city run, including minors aged 12–18.
There will be a hydration station with bottled water at the 2.5 km mark. At the finish line, bottled water, juices or isotonic drinks, and bananas will be provided.
The time limit for finishing is 1 hour.
The entry fee is 10 euros and is payable upon submission of the Registration Form.
Contact Information:
Tel. 6944831115 (Nikos Kentis)
email: polygyrosrun@gmail.com
Website: www.polygyrosrun.gr