“Running and Health” Seminar
Running & Health: Advice for Regular and New Runners
On Sunday 3 March 2024, the Patras International Half Marathon organized an open discussion titled “Running and Health: Advice for Regular and New Runners”. The event took place at My Way Hotel & Events (16 Othonos-Amalias Ave.) at 18:00.
The aim of the event was to promote information on health and wellbeing through running, covering topics such as training planning, nutrition, psychology, medical support and more.
Specifically, among other things, the following topics were discussed:
- Pre-race medical check-up
- Cardiovascular health and the role of physical activity
- Training planning
- Peaking before the race
- The role of nutrition in athletic performance
- Recommended dietary habits
- Key points of the training period
- The most common running injuries, prevention and management
- Practical training tips
- Managing everyday training
- Managing pre-race anxiety
Specialized professionals and experienced athletes took part in the discussion:
- Dimitris Theodorakakos, Greek champion in the Athens Authentic Marathon and World Cup winner in mountain running. Graduate Track & Field coach
- Dimitris Thodoris, coordinator of the Middle and Long Distance Department of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS)
- Eirini Bambaroutsi, PhD, clinical dietitian, sports nutritionist, PhD holder from Harokopio University of Athens, scientific director of the dietetic practice “Thermida”, nutritionist of the National Athletics Team, scientific associate of the European Handball Federation
- Theodoros Betsos, physiotherapist – orthopedic manual therapist – medical training therapist
- Sofia Riga, Greek champion in the Classic Marathon, participant in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
- Dr Georgios Stavroulakis, MD, PhD, FESC, cardiologist, PhD holder from the University of Athens (specialized in Sports Cardiology)
Via video we watched the presentation of Dan Benardot, PhD, DHC, RDN, FACSM, Teaching Professor, Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University.
The opening greetings were delivered by:
- Charalampos Bonanos, Deputy Regional Governor of Western Greece
- Panagiotis Petropoulos, Deputy Mayor for Sports, Environment, Energy and Green Spaces of the Municipality of Patras
- Anna Mastorakou, Deputy Regional Governor for Public Health of Western Greece
- Panagiotis Trigas, nephrologist, scientific director of the chronic hemodialysis unit TRIGAS NEPHROS MON S.A.
- Pyrros Dimas, Olympic weightlifting champion (video)
The discussion was moderated by Nikos Polias, technical director of the Patras International Half Marathon and multiple Greek champion in the national marathon championships.
The main sponsor of the event was the Trigas Nephros MON S.A. Chronic Hemodialysis Unit, with My Way Hotel & Events as supporter.
The event was aimed at our runners and all those interested in learning about the benefits of running and hearing experiences from experts in the field.