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)