Crete Half Marathon draws runners from 55 countries despite storm disruption

The Crete Half Marathon attracted athletes from 55 countries and drew roughly 6,000 registrations, with organizers saying the race went ahead despite heavy rain and flooding that have hit the island. Kyriakos Karagiorgis, a member of the event’s organizing committee, told Cretaone 102.3 that around 4,000 runners finished the race, which was held in Arkalochori, and that nearly 2,000 competitors travelled from outside Crete to take part.

Organizers activate backup safety plans

Karagiorgis said the top priority was running the event safely despite adverse weather conditions tied to the severe storms that have struck Crete in recent weeks. “We had the resolve to apply Plan B and Plan C to offer safety to thousands of people,” he said. According to Karagiorgis, municipal services intervened to convert the Arkalochori Exhibition Center into a sheltered reception point, giving runners protection from the weather.

Organizers also pointed to the volunteers who support the race each year. Karagiorgis said the event “cannot happen without these crazy, dedicated volunteers,” adding that without them there would be no race at all.

Record times and a 12-year-old on the podium

Karagiorgis said the race set what organizers describe as the fastest half marathon time recorded in Greece, and that a 12-year-old athlete finished on the women’s podium. He said the overall scale of participation, spanning the 6,000 registrations and finishers from dozens of countries, reflected growing international interest in the island’s annual events calendar.

Local hospitality at aid stations

According to Karagiorgis, residents played a central role in welcoming runners along the course. He described grandmothers preparing traditional cheese pies and “eptazyma” bread, and local women offering halva, “kapriko” and loukoumia at aid stations, saying “everyone puts in their heart so that our guests enjoy themselves.” Organizers framed the hospitality as a defining feature that distinguishes the Crete Half Marathon among similar running experiences internationally.

A message of inclusion

Karagiorgis said the race is also intended as an example of social cohesion, giving a platform to older participants, athletes with disabilities, and people he described as facing personal struggles in their own lives. He said the event reflects the vision of Giorgos Alevizakis, which he said has “become the vision of the whole area,” adding that organizers aim to showcase Crete and Cretan hospitality through the race.