Long review warning!!

I have been travelling to Crete for around 10 years now and over the last few years I have been trying to figure out how I could combine my passion for the country and running.  I found the Crete Half Marathon about 3 years ago and watching the promotional videos peaked my interest.  The race is at the end of the summer season so it’s still a great time to go to Crete.  I decided to take the plunge and booked the race for 2019.

Booking process was really easy, they have websites in both Greek and English so no language issues when signing up which I have had with a few races abroad before. They have multiple races on the same day 5k/10k/half/1mile and 200m disability race.  Communications in the build up to the race were pretty light but their social media presence on Facebook is really good and built up the excitement over the months leading up to the race.

The race itself starts and ends in an amphitheatre in a little town called Arkalochori which is a 30-40 minute drive outside of the capital Heraklion.  There is an option for reduced cost bus tickets which take you from the main bus station in the capital and take you back later in the day (4e return)

The cost to sign up to the race was ridiculously cheap, 15 euros for the half.  This got you race entry, race pack, party in the amphitheatre.  I will come on to each!

Packet Pick up – I can’t really call it an expo but there was a section set up on one of the main squares in Heraklion.  There was a place to pick up your race pack and a couple of stalls selling t-shirts.  A bit later on in the day they had some entertainment of local Greek dancers.  Considering the race entry was so cheap the race pack is amazing, you get a decent quality backpack, lovely race tech t-shirt, baseball cap and a few other bits and pieces with your race number.  They had race day instructions in English and a little translation booklet to help you learn basic bits of Greek which I thought was a lovely touch.

Race morning – early start and headed to the bus station, busses were due to leave around 7.20am, it wasn’t clear which bus we needed to take so we just waited to see what the locals did.  If you have been to Greece before you will expect chaos when it comes to queuing and it certainly was that when the busses arrived.  The first bus we queued for was full by the time we got to the front but thankfully we were pointed in the direction of the next one and were on it pretty quickly.  It does say on your bus ticket that you need ID to get on the bus, we weren’t asked for any.  Also, your bus ticket has a bus number and seat number on it.  You can forget about that.  Just find the bus and take a seat!

It was a nice drive up to the race village, it was becoming apparent that it was going to be a warm one with no clouds in the sky for shade!  When we got to the amphitheatre at about 8am the entertainment was in full swing, music to get the runners pumped up and the stalls had started offering out local foods.

Quick walk around race village to get my bearings and then the races began.  10k first at 8.50 and then at 9.00 we got into the pen for a 9.10 start.  Bumped into a few local runners (Bramhall/Stockport) and it was nice to chat to them.  Countdown to the gun and confetti cannons fired to start the race.

The race itself goes through around 4 main towns/villages and sweeps through olive groves and vineyards. Winding out of the stadium into the village of Arkalochori the roads are lined with speakers and spectators wishing you well. Heading through the first town gave you a feel for what the rest of the race would be like.

There were 30 music points along the route, mostly traditional Greek music, along with dancers and all sorts along the way.  Even in some of the most remote parts of the race you would hear someone singing or playing an instrument.  It was really special.

I can’t say it was an easy run, anyone that has been through Greek towns and villages knows how hilly they can be, at around 7km there was a warning sign for runners “you have never seen a hill like this” I didn’t think much of it at first buy my word did it get steep.  Even the support motorbike stalled and struggled getting up it.

Even for October it was a hot one, I think it got to mid 20s, maybe pushing 27 at one point. I had decided not to push for any sort of time and just to enjoy the race and take it all in.  I walked up the end of the hill at 7k but kept going until around mile 9/10.  By then hot and tired I decided to march up any hills, jog the flats and run the downhill bits.  I did manage to run the entire last mile though.  I was happy with a 2.22 given I was hoping for between 2.15 – 2.30.

I had heard stories of raki being given out on route and I wasn’t sure I would see any but around 9k there were shots of raki being given out alongside the water.  It was way too early in the race to take on raki at that point!  Water stops were really well planned, every couple of KM there was bottled water.  Always seemed to be cold and plenty for the slower runners, there were also fruits, sponges, energy drinks being handed out at some of the stations.  A couple of water showers through the route really helped cool you down as well.

I did notice some local food alongside the raki but didn’t stop to take a look.

Coming back up another hill the end was in sight, pulling into the amphitheatre a long blue carpet with arches to the end.  100s of people cheering you home and what a feeling ending in such a location.

At the end of the race you are given your medal, a drink, snack, alcohol free Amstel and foil wrap if you needed it.  

A special mention needs to be made for the medal; all the medals are handmade porcelain running shoes made by a local producer.  Each one has unique markings.  I believe they make 3-4000 of these each year.  This was one of the reasons I wanted to run this race, it is probably the most stunning medal of my collection.  The winner’s medals were big versions of these, I was lucky to get a close look at one and they were amazing.

Another special mention must go out to the volunteers, what an amazing group they had for the day, the race was well martialled and no issues with traffic on the road or directions around the course.

At the end of the half marathon the 5k race kicked off, this was an all-inclusive fun run for a lot of people, it was fun to watch them leave and cheer them home.  I was tempted to do both the half and 5k but kind of glad I didn’t now.

The race had media presence from local Crete tv station.  The whole thing was filmed by drones and live streamed onto you tube.  From the amphitheatre you could watch what was going on around the race on a big screen.  It felt an incredible and professional set up for such a cheap race to enter.

Once the 5k and 200m races had finished the party began.  Cretan dancers entertaining the full amphitheatre and local food vendors providing free local produce (including raki) to an appreciative crowd.  There were big queues to get these but really worth it.  The grilled sausage and mixed beans were beautiful.

With the amphitheatre full and all racers home the presentation ceremonies began.  The way they organised the timings of the races kept most people around to support the presentations.  They went on for quite a while but was nice to see.  After that there was a little bit more dancing whilst people were waiting for busses back to Heraklion.

My only criticism of the day would be the busses back, we were told they would be at 15.05 which is a long time to wait, by 14:00 we were really ready to go but had another hour to wait.  We went to take a look for the busses at about 14.45 and found one had just filled and left.  It may be that they were going earlier once full, but this wasn’t communicated anywhere.  Thankfully we got another bus around the time we were due to leave and got back to Heraklion at a decent time to celebrate.

I loved this race, the experience, the day, the atmosphere, the people.  I really can’t speak much higher.  Would I do it again, most certainly if I can time it into a holiday.  I think this race will grow and grow.  It’s a tough one to do but you won’t regret it!

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