NEWS - Patras Half Marathon - Page 10
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N. Polias’ interview for PELOPONNISOS newspaper

We are now counting down to the big running event of this Spring, the 1st Patras International Half Marathon, which will be held on Sunday, April 9th.

The preparations of the organizers are in the final stage at a time when subscriptions  are skyrocketing to high numbers the runners giving a “vote” of confidence in this great race. The excellent track substantially  creates the prospect to excellent performances and records. All in all  the expectations are high and the goal is set  for the running event to become a raw model  for all running events  all around Greece.

The technical director of the 1st Patras International Half Marathon is the experienced from similar events, Nikos Polias, who spoke to “PtD” about all the issues… -In a few days the 1st Patras International Half Marathon will take place. At what level are the preparations? “It is a fact that as the date of a road race approaches, the pace picks up and the organizing team works feverishly so that everything that was planned on paper in the previous period begins to take shape. It is not particularly well known what it takes to carry out a race with high expectations that takes place for the first time, such as the Patras Half Marathon. Cooperation and coordination with the institutional bodies of the city, finding sponsors, communication and promotion so that runners know the advantages of the race and choose it, planning and organization of security and health coverage, finding, training and coordination of volunteers, supplies materials, elite athlete challenges and so much more! Everything is progressing according to our plan, the runners show a strong interest in the race, with entries exceeding 1,000 in all races and everything shows that on April 9th the city of Patras will have another reason to celebrate and the citizens another reason to be proud. Because the participation of the public both competitively and as spectators plays a catalytic role in success”. -A comment on the Half Marathon route. What are the technical characteristics that make it stand out? “When we were entrusted with the task of designing the track, we set as a key objective that it should have those features that would enable the runners to achieve the best possible performance, but also connect the event with the most famous locations of the city.

We want to minimize any disruption of residents and ensure safety and immediate access to respond to an incident. I think the course is extremely fast and this is a strong advantage for the Patras Half Marathon and on April 9th we will have the opportunity to record performances and many individual records. Achieving good performances is the best advertisement of any race, since the main criterion for most runners in choosing their next race is the ease of the track. Our slogan is #fastertogether and we will do everything possible so that the participants in the Half Marathon bring out the best of themselves.”

-Has the Half Marathon options for everyone?

“This was another strategic goal of the organizing committee. To address every citizen of the city, every runner from Greece and all over the world. Thus, the distance of the Half Marathon initially chosen, aimed at regular runners, but also “younger” runners who run 5 or 10 km and want to test their strength at a longer distance. The program was enriched with the 5 km distance which aimed at literally every fun runner, even at a walking pace, it takes about 50 minutes to complete it. Last, but not least, the 1 km children’s race exclusively for children aged 6 to 12, so that we can motivate children into sports and give them the opportunity to live a unique racing experience.”

-You have a lot of experience with Marathons. Do you agree that the street movement has been on the rise in recent years?

“Having followed the development of racing for more than 35 years, since the late 80s as an athlete having participated in all the major international events and major races abroad and since 2008 as an organizer, there is no doubt that running in our country is constantly gaining new friends who now number many tens of thousands. Running has become part of the everyday life of Greeks widely appreciated, since more and more people recognize the multiple benefits it offers both  individually and socially. I have to admit that we still have a long way to go or to run, so that this number reaches the percentages of foreign countries that have a long tradition. Initiatives such as those of the sports association of Pelopas of Patras and the newspaper Peloponnisos to organize a high-quality road race with the support of the Western Region have decisive impact in empowering the running movement in Greece.

Newspaper Peloponnisos pelop.gr ( Interviewer Pr.Kogkos)

Nektarios Farmakis, as a member of the Honorary Committee of the running event was thoroughly briefed on every aspect by the organizers, underlining the major importance of promoting the Western Greece Region as a unique destination to host international athletic venues that upgrade and empower sports’ tourism.

Sotiris Bilianos and Thodoros Louloudis highlighted the goal of 1st Patras International Half Marathon and the goal, which is none other than to become a referral example for all national sporting events and all runners and spectators to become its future ambassadors in Greece and abroad.

The meeting ended with Nektarios Farmakis thanking for the update and offering his full support and assistance to achieve a thrilling race.

The Organizing Committee of the 1st Patras International Half Marathon proudly announces the Honorary Committee of the event.

The members represent all spectrums of business, cultural and social entities, institutions, associations etc. who embrace the innovative goals and vision of this running event. Highly esteemed personalities empowering society and economy fully support the 1st Patras International Half Marathon:

The Organizing Committee of the “Patras Half Marathon 2023 welcomes the cooperation of Heron Energy Production n Supply Group, as a main supporter of the 1st International Patras Half Marathon.

For more than 20 years, Heron Group engages in the energy field providing for the Greek market competitive programs for households and business.

Heron operates in the production, supply and trading of electric energy, as well as in the supply and trading of natural gas in Greece. Having started its operation in 2000, HERON is a member of the GEK TERNA Group, the leader in the production of energy from conventional and renewable sources (RES) in Greece. HERON was the first private Group to operate in a free energy market in Greece, as well as the first private group to operate in the natural gas sector in Greece. HERON has built and successfully operates the first private natural gas power plant in Greece since 2004.\

The vision of the group is to provide clean and abundant energy to cover the Greek market’s needs.  It creates new possibilities, broadens horizons and offers new options, with cutting edge technology, business ethics, reliability and responsibility.

HERON provides a better living status through the power of energy. The company is demonstrating a continuous growth, charting its future steps aiming to innovative and thrive as a key player in the energy sector in Greece.

Reducing the energy footprint is the first and most important goal and priority. HERON’s ambition is to contribute to a symbiotic progress and development, to stand up on major global challenges, such as global warming, the access to energy and mobility.

For this reason, the company alleged and supports the 1st Patras International Half Marathon, actively participating in venues that promote culture and sports and motivates social interaction and awareness against any discriminations and social exclusions.

The organizing committee of “Patras Half Marathon 2023” welcomes the cooperation of GU Energy Greece company as “Official Energy Gels Sponsor” for the 1st Patras International Half Marathon.

GU Energy Greece is, the main supporter and sponsor in  the major running events in Greece, thus sponsoring 2023 Patras International Half Marathon, providing energy gels for the runners, contributing to the goal  of establishing  an institution of an international road event that will promote the potential and dynamism of Western Greece to host such venues,

GU’s energy gels contain carbohydrates that provide immediate boost, nourishing the runner with a complex of vitamins, amino acids and electrolytes for better hydration and performance   GU is one of the most favorite gels among runners around the world highly used in 10 km races, half marathons, marathons, but also in long distance races, ironman triathlon races etc. In addition, they do not contain gluten and are suitable for vegetarians.

All GU Energy Lab products are compatible to the directives of all global anti-doping institutions such as WADA, USADA, UCI, are certified as INFORMED CHOICE and have been certified by the Greek National Medicines Agency (E.O.F.).

The organizing committee of Patras Half Marathon 2023 welcomes GU Energy Greece to its group of sponsors which is the first step in a long term fruitful cooperation.

GU ENERGY LABS

The company GU Energy Labs is sieged in Berkeley, California, USA. It is the company that launched Energy Gels category, introducing the first original Energy Gel in 1993. Its constant and continuous commitment to innovation has made GU Energy Labs a pioneer in its category with a leading position in the global market. Since 1993 GU Energy Labs has upgraded the performance of countless of athletes to personal bests (PRs) through its innovative Gels, Chews, Drinks, Capsules, Stroopwafels and Electrolyte Tablets. GU products, which guarantee best stamina  and heath, providing energy and vitality.as a result of scientific research  acclaimed by the world’s top athletes.

The Organizing Committee of the “Patras Half Marathon 2023” welcomes “Andrikopoulos” Supermarket Co, as a Silver Sponsor” at the 1st Patras International Half Marathon.

Andrikopoulos Supermarkets develops corporate social responsibility, supporting and sponsoring venues such the 1st International Half Marathon of Patras 2023, embracing the major goal to  establish an international athletic institution that will outstand among other running top class events, promoting the potential and dynamics of Western Greece region to host major athletic venues.

Andrikopoulos SA, shares and embodies eco friendly policies in its management, launces campaigns and empowers environmental and social awareness such as:

The company started business in 1975, when the brothers Vassilis and Kostas Andrikopoulos opened a traditional grocery store in Trion Navarchon Street in Patras. In 1984, the second store opened near Marouda Square, on Karatza Street, Today there are 13 stores are already operating throughout Patras.

Andrikopoulos company, one of the most important its sector, highly estimed by its clients, chose to support the 1st International Half Marathon of the city!

The scheduled date of the 1st Patras International Half Marathon is Sunday, 9th of April 2023.

The date of the upcoming Parliamentary elections has not yet been officially declared, most probably April 9th 2023. The devastating train accident at Tempe creates further ambiguity and alterations.

However, there is still a major possibility that the date of the elections will coincide with the date of the 1st Marathon. To all runners and fans of the Race we would like to answer that the Organizational Committee has already launched a Plan B about, the official alternative date of the Race Sunday, May the 7th 2023.

Planning ahead since the first day the organizational committee has taken all measures to ensure that runners and fans can participate and ensure that the race will comply with the highest standards of safety.

Executives, volunteers and dozens of other stakeholders have been mobilized since day one in case the organization must move on to Plan B  due to the elections.

We reassure all runners and spectators that whatever the date of the 1st  Half Marathon is eiher April 9th or May 7th, it will we be a thrilling race.

So join us in the starting line cause every runner is a winner and let’s share the pride and joy at the end of the race at Plateia Georgiou (King George A’ Square).

The Organizing Committee of the “Patras Half Marathon 2023” welcomes Olympia Odos as a “Silver Sponsor” for the 1st Patras International Half Marathon.

Olympia Odos develops significant sponsorship activity contributing to various events, thus is fully aligned to the vision of the 1st Patras 2023 International Half Marathon, which is none other than the establishment of a running event as an institution, that will promote internationally Western Greece region’s potentials and dynamics,  but also in essence “pave the way” for the massive  participation of dozens of athletes and the creation of a running movement!

Olympia Odos is one of the most important national strategic projects for the development of the Peloponnese, Western Greece and Epirus. It connects these three Regions of Attica, Peloponnese and Western Greece and the Greek capital with the most important gate of Greece to Europe, i.e. the port of Patras.

Its infrastructure, services, smart systems, campaigns provide a unique travel experience and an upgraded safe connection commuting travelers and goods, to the south-western part of Greece and specifically to and from the port of Patras.

Olympia Odos reforms tourism throughout the regions it intersects, creating a new eco friendly product including worldwide known archaeological and historical sites, unique ecosystems and protected areas, developing new tourism destinations, boosting local and national economy, exports and agricultural production. The runners, either professional athletes or amateur racers, who will run side by side in the 1st International Half Marathon of Patras,  living  in other neighboring areas, will use the most modern highway of the country, moving quickly, comfortably and safely!

Olympia Odos, designs and implements strategies to raise awareness and promote road safety, such as:

The Organizing Committee of  “Patras Half Marathon 2023” announces the initiation of cooperation with Deloitte Co,  the “Silver Sponsor” for the 1st International Patras Half Marathon.

Deloitte Co having a significant sponsorship contribution to various events has chosen to support the 1st Patras International Half Marathon 2023, contributing substantially to the goal of the Committee,  which is none other than the establishment of a running event that will promote internationally the potential and dynamics of Western Greece to host major athletic events.

Deloitte BS is a leading consulting and technology services company.

The creation of a new innovation hub in Patras was recently announced, being the second technological hub created by the company outside Attica region. It is expected to employ at least 250 engineering scientists and technologists. In this direction Deloitte Business Solutions already acquired a property of 4,000 sq.m. in the city of Patras.

Deloitte BS is “sweeping” the human resources market, as the projects they are asked to carry out in the next period are numerous and big scale projects.

The Company currently employs over 2,500 workers – specifically 2,517 – of which 1,500 are in Attica and the rest in Thessaloniki region. Patras hub is expected to add to the human resources of the company at least 250 employees ranging up to 500.

In this direction, the company will utilize the hybrid employment model so that employees will not necessarily have to relocate to Patras. They can live in Nafpaktos, Agrinio, Messolongi, Aigio, Amfilochia and schedule a timetable (days and hours) of physical presence in the office.

Summarizing the two main goals of Deloitte BS establishing the new Brainzone of Patras, the first concerns the creation of an ecosystem which will incubate business proposals and projects and the second the “recruitment” of human resources for the implementation of projects concerning the company’s clients, both in Greece and abroad.

The second pillar, equally important, concerns the hosting and support of new business projects.

Taking part in athletic events such as the 1st International Half Marathon Patras 2023, can contribute to keep up with the well being and good health of the employees of the company.