Rodopi Ultra Trail, a unique 100 miler race in mountainous Greece

Press Release / 02.11.2011

ROUT is one of a few and very special 100 miler races in Europe, due to its nature! Only 35 of the 65 athletes that started the race - finally made it to the finish line before the 42 hours cut off. Winner of this year’s 3rd edition of the race was Nick Petropoulos, an athlete with great experience of international ultra trail races, who also broke the race record with 24.46.36. The race had a lot of possible outcomes, as relatively quickly in the race the favourite and last year's winner Nick Sideridis abandoned the race with injury, and so did a little later Kyriakos Xanthis, who had headed the race after Sideridis retirement. Two women were included in the list of 35 finishers, Lora Repchenko crossing the finish line first with 36.06.27.

ROUT, according to its organizing committee, represents a complete challenge, both physically and mentally. A 100 mile race, with the minimal support of only six (6) aid stations along a very isolated route in an uninhabited area of Greece. Rodopi Mountains are dominated by dense forests full of wildlife. The area which is also a National Park is the home to large rare mammals such as bears, deer, the chamois, wolf and many more, who find refuge in the ravines and slopes of Rodopi mountains. Mountains with intense relief and many small rivers, sharing a boarder with neighboring Bulgaria.

The next ROUT will be held on October 19 2012, with maximum limit of 100 athletes and very strict participation criteria.

The results and information about the race can be found at http://www.rout.gr