Race Weekend Preview: 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO
The 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO takes place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March and again promises to be a thrilling celebration of running in one of Europe's most beautiful race locations.
This will be the 12th edition of this internationally-renowned event and the biggest and best yet, with some 15,000 athletes from 60 worldwide locationsset to gather in Cyprus to #RunLimassol. A total of six races will be taking place over the course of the weekend, along with plenty of entertainment and festivities for runners and spectators alike. Athletes can look forward to a warm and friendly welcome, a lively atmosphere and superb crowd support as they prepare to run in the sun and enjoy all that Limassol has to offer.
OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO race weekend kicks off at 9am on Saturday 17th March with the PrimeTel 5K Corporate Race, a popular event that will see some 10,000 runners from 200 teams compete against each other and enjoy a little friendly rivalry, whilst raising funds for charity.
Andrey and Julia Dashin’s Foundation Youth Race follows at 11am, giving children aged 6-16 the opportunity to experience the excitement of a big sporting event. The race takes place at Molos Park, an attractive seafront area of paved paths, palm trees, sculptures, grassy areas and decks out over the sea.
For the second consecutive year, visitors to OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO can enjoy the Petrolina Energy Day from 9am-12pm on the Saturday. Taking place at Limassol Marathon Village in Old Port Square, this is a fantastic chance for athletes and their friends and families to watch live acts, participate in fitness classes and learn more about Cyprus’ largest sporting event.
Those with races still to come on the Sunday should make sure they have a ticket to the Pasta Party, taking place at 5pm on the Saturday at the Marathon Village. A perfect way to stock up on carbs and meet fellow runners, this is also a chance to chat with the pacing team, the Race Director and the race specialists ahead of the four big races the following morning.
Sunday 18th March then gets off to an early start with the OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO and the Limassol Half Marathon starting at 07:30 and the Petrolina 10K Energy Race and the 5K City Race setting off at 08:00. For the first time this year, the Marathon and Half Marathon races will feature an international team of pacers to help runners achieve their target times.
The AIMS-accredited OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO is well-known for its flat, fast and straight course along the Mediterranean coast, making it an ideal race to run a PB. The route has been upgraded for 2018, taking runners west from Molos Park past the marina and port before turning around to run along the spectacular coastal road of greater Limassol. Runners continue east as far as the Ancient City of Amathus, taking in a corridor of ancient ruins and beautiful Mediterranean scenery, before returning westwardsfor the final stretch.
Starting at the same time as the marathon race is Limassol Half Marathon, which enjoys the same flat and fast coastal route and breathtaking views out across the sparkling sea.
Rounding off the weekend in superb style will be the After Party by Guaba Beach Bar, taking place at Limassol Marathon Village. If previous years are anything to go by, this will be an unmissable evening of celebration where runners can relax, toast their achievements and enjoy special headline artists. After two days, six races, 15,000 runners, four parallel events, 700 volunteers, 3,000 international runners and plenty of PBs, race records and running stories, the after party will be a highly fitting end to OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO.
Race Weekend Key Timings - 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO:
Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th March
09:00-18:00 Registration offices and athlete village open, Molos Old Port
Thursday 15th March
19:00 Bank of Cyprus 2nd Running Community Forum at Tasos Papadopoulous Amphitheatre
Saturday 17th March
09:00 PrimeTel 5K Corporate Race start
11:00 Andrey and Julia Dashin’s Foundation 1K Youth Race start
09:00-12:00 Petrolina Energy Day
17:00 Pasta Party
Sunday 18th March
07:30 Marathon Race start
07:30 Half Marathon Race start
08:00 Petrolina 10K Energy Race start
08:00 5K City Racestart
All day Party and after-party by Guaba Beach Bar
Of particular excitement for 2018 is the introduction of the #RunLimassol app, which enables competitors to keep up-to-date with all the information they need. It is also ideal for loved ones to keep track of race progress with the Live Tracking feature. Download the app in IOSorAndroid.
It has also been confirmed that OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO, the biggest sports events in Cyprus, which this year hosts the Pancyprian and Balkan Marathon Championships, will be broadcast live on Cypriot channel PIK 2.
It is not too late to sign up for a place at the 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO. A number of race packages are on offer for those wanting to spend a long weekend away enjoying all that Limassol has to offer, and cheap flights are still available from the UK to Paphos and Larnaca.
The OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO has been shortlisted for Best International Event at The 2018 Running Awards, for which voting closes shortly.
OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO Race Director Andreas Spyroucommented:“We are looking forward to welcoming athletes from all over the world to the 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO. It is a huge honour that so many come to Limassol to run and enjoy the friendly and celebratory atmosphere. Many of our international visitors will be spending a few days or more on the island to make the most of the climate, beaches, history, food and culture – all of which offer the perfect chance to relax and socialise post-race. Limited places and race packages are still available for anyone wishing to run with a smile at the brightest marathon in the world!”
Entries are still open for the 2018 OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO.
Go to www.limassolmarathon.com for further details and to register.
You can also like the Facebook pageand follow @RunLimassol#RunLimassol on Twitter to keep up-to-date with all the latest news about OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO.