Among new ways crisis-hit Greece is attracting more visitors is by staging sports events on its islands. Running, swimming and other races offer new ways to explore the country's beautiful isles.
New wave of tourism —
Among new ways crisis-hit Greece is attracting more visitors is by staging sports events on its islands. Running, swimming and other races offer new ways to explore the country's beautiful isles.
Nikos Karanikolas
The 10-kilometer Syros City Trail Race takes in the Cycladean island's hills as well as a maze of marble stairs in the heart of the historic neoclassical town of Ermopouli.
Post-race beers —
The 10-kilometer Syros City Trail Race takes in the Cycladean island's hills as well as a maze of marble stairs in the heart of the historic neoclassical town of Ermopouli.
Elena Kalogera
It'll take more than faith to get around the Crete Half Marathon. The race on Greece's largest island is expected to attract 2,500 runners.
Crete Half Marathon —
It'll take more than faith to get around the Crete Half Marathon. The race on Greece's largest island is expected to attract 2,500 runners.
Ioannis Smias
The tiny island of Serifos, in the heart of the Cyclades group, is the setting for a September race now in its third year. The race sees runners hit the trails as the sun sets over the Aegean Sea.
Serifos Sunset Race —
The tiny island of Serifos, in the heart of the Cyclades group, is the setting for a September race now in its third year. The race sees runners hit the trails as the sun sets over the Aegean Sea.
Michalis Theocharis
Now in its fifth year, the Spetses Mini Marathon welcomes thousands of international participants. It's now recognized as the most popular Greek island sporting event.
Spetses Mini-Marathon —
Now in its fifth year, the Spetses Mini Marathon welcomes thousands of international participants. It's now recognized as the most popular Greek island sporting event.
Nikos Karanikolas
Many island races have proved so popular they've added extra events, including runs for children.
All ages —
Many island races have proved so popular they've added extra events, including runs for children.
Nikos Karanikolas
"Race events allow travelers to discover places they never heard of," says Petros Bouchoris, founder of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runningreece.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Runningreece</a> website. "Imagine you can run over much of an island as its natural landscape unfolds before you."
Syros Island —
"Race events allow travelers to discover places they never heard of," says Petros Bouchoris, founder of the Runningreece website. "Imagine you can run over much of an island as its natural landscape unfolds before you."
Vehicles are forbidden on Hydra, in the Saronic island group, making its roads idea for runners. But its mountainous landscape is the preferred destination for Greece's trail runners.
Hydra —
Vehicles are forbidden on Hydra, in the Saronic island group, making its roads idea for runners. But its mountainous landscape is the preferred destination for Greece's trail runners.
Christy Agapitou.
Where race line-ups once had zero international competitors, the dozen or so events held across some of the country's best known destinations now pull in thousands from abroad, including runners from the U.S., France and Germany.
International popularity —
Where race line-ups once had zero international competitors, the dozen or so events held across some of the country's best known destinations now pull in thousands from abroad, including runners from the U.S., France and Germany.
Marissa Tejada