Andrus Beer Trail Race Festival
The Andrus Beer Trail Race is a brand-new distance-running event held in Andros, bringing mountain racing back to the island. Offering 4 routes of increasing difficulty, the Festival will take runners around Andros’ mountains, utilizing many of the island’s extensive trail network (certified as one of Europe’s best for hiking since 2015), guiding those who take part through the natural beauty of Andros.
This inaugural event will include 4 races, although plans for expanding the Festival in years to come are already underway! The three main routes are Grias Pidima Encounter (5 kilometers), Korthi Adventure (15 kilometers) and Gerakones Challenge (32 kilometers), while a 1-kilometer route intended for children ages 5-12 called Future Champions rounds out the schedule.
All races will start at the village of Ormos; the three main events will then take runners up and down Andros’ mountainsides, visiting many of the island’s nearby villages, while the children’s race will be a lap around the town’s streets.
Participants will also be able to enjoy the three-day schedule of parallel events, including “Pasta Parties”, live music, a guided tour of the surrounding villages, Sound Healing and Yoga courses, and more!
Runners can receive their numbers and timing chips starting in the evening of June 13 and all through the 14th, with a Technical Briefing and the first “Pasta Party” taking place on this day, as well. The 32-kilometer race, as well as the 1-kilometer race, will occur on Saturday, June 15th, while the 5- and 15-kilometer races will be held on Sunday, June 16th.
Runners will be offered a pre-race and post-race meal, as well as a recovery massage at the end of their race.
Discounts will also be made available for runners for the island buses, as well as certain ferry connections to the island and accommodation options.
The Trail Race Festival is an initiative undertaken by the local community, with many local businesses sponsoring the event, with the intention of giving back to the people of the island. 30% of this year’s event’s registration fees will be donated to the Kidney Patients Association of Andros, to bolster their efforts to grace the island with its own dialysis unit.