11th Democritean Half Marathon of İskeçe: Enthusiastic participation in the major sporting celebration
İskeçe hosted one of the region’s most significant sporting events with great success on Sunday, November 30, as the 11th Democritean Half Marathon took place under ideal weather conditions. The race began at 10:30 a.m., drawing hundreds of runners and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city.
Organized by the İskeçe Runners Athletic Club, the A.P.S. Diomedes Xanthi, in cooperation with the Municipality of İskeçe, the Municipality of Bulustra, and the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the event once again delivered a high-level athletic experience, supported by a wide network of sponsors.
Participants were able to choose between two main routes:
- Half Marathon (21.1 km)
- City Route (5 km)
A large turnout was also recorded for the student race, reinforcing the event’s inclusive and community-oriented character.
Winners: Orfeas Giannatis Takes First Place in the 21 km, Dimitris Apostolidis in the 5 km
In the 21 km men’s category, the top three finishers were:
- Orfeas Giannatis
- Georgios Iatroudellis
- Dimos Magginas
In the women’s category, the winners were:
- Ismini Panagiotopoulou
- Moschouka Manousou
- Fotini Dapka
For the 5 km race, the top finishers were:
Men: Dimitris Apostolidis, Georgios Zympilos, Konstantinos Zaimis
Women: Dimitra Pantezou, Vasiliki Spathi, Marina Tsekoura
Attendance Numbers: Participation Increased by Over 400 Runners
According to Alexandros Grakis, Vice President of İskeçe Runners A.S., an estimated:
600 runners participated in the 21 km route
Around 1,300 runners took part in the 5 km race
800–1,000 children joined the student race
He confirmed that everything ran smoothly, despite organizational challenges caused by unstable weather conditions in the days leading up to the event. Overall, he described the turnout and atmosphere as excellent.
E.E.S. Provided Full Medical Support – No Major Incidents
The Hellenic Red Cross Regional Branch of İskeçe played a vital role in ensuring medical coverage.
Zeki Memet Ali, Director of Education at the local branch, reported that:
- No serious incidents occurred
- Most cases involved minor muscle pulls and cramps
- All issues were expected and handled promptly
Medical support was provided by:
- Red Cross volunteers
- The rescue team
- A cycling support group
- Two fully-equipped vehicles
