The 19th edition of the Cyprus International 4-day Challenge
Starting on Thursday with a 6k time trial on asphalt, runners set off in 10-second intervals and run against the clock to finish in front of a lovely view of a shipwreck.
On Friday, mountain running “lovers” will enjoy a trail run in a distance of 11k. The race starts just after the white river in the AKAMAS Nature Reserve and finishes by the beautiful village square / church of Pano Arodes. The hill run starts by the sea, runs immediately uphill, and continues as a steady climb for 6km. The first 4km are rocky up to an old barn building where the drinks station is positioned. From there the path becomes smoother. At 6km there is a fairly steep descent for 1km before climbing again, with a short steep uphill around 9km. Approaching Pano Arodes it levels off and goes slightly downhill until the 500m climb up through the village to finish in the pretty church square.
On the third day, competitors will be challenged through some extremely picturesque routes. The start is in the village square of Neo Chorio by St. Minas church, and continues out of the village through a narrow uphill street and out into the olive fields. The route climbs gently on a concrete road up to Smigies picnic site where it turns into a jeep trail and climbs more steeply to a drink station at 4km. From there it drops steeply on a wide trail with many switchback bends until reaching the coast road at 9km and continuous on a wide jeep track that undulates up and down some coastal bays until it passes Lara Bay. It then becomes flat and partially downhill and finishes by the beach.
On Sunday and after having completed the half marathon, which by most is characterised as the highlight of the event, we leave mountain “climbing” and trail runs behind us and head for the city of Paphos, where runners compete in the fairly flat 10k Paphos City Run. Despite not being a cross-country run, the 10k Paphos City Run remains an equally beautiful event that starts and finishes at the Paphos Castle by the small fishing harbor.
*This race is also open to participants not running the full 4-day challenge.
*The 10k Paphos City Run is approved by AIMS.
Beer, music and of course the joy and pride of having finished 4 tough days of running create a lovely partying atmosphere at the finish of the 10k Paphos City Run.
The event ends with the Gala Dinner on Sunday evening, where all prizes and awards are given out.
Team Registration
Participants can register to run as teams of minimum 3 to maximum 4 persons per team.
For each team the best 3 timings will count.
Medical Support
Medical services are provided at the start / finish lines and throughout the 4 races.
Water & Fruit
Ample quantities of water and seasonal fruit will be offered throughout the races at approximately every 5k.