The Event

The 4th edition of the Cyprus International 4-day Challenge

co-organized by Arena Sports  a leader in incoming sports and event organization in Cyprus and 2:09 Events - a UK event organizer and running holiday specialist (owned by Mike Gratton-an ex London Marathon winner himself- race director of the 4-day Challenge) hopes to continue offering participants an adventurous and challenging running event with its 4 different races taking place during 4 days, where the times for each race will be added together to give a winner at the end of the 4-day challenge. The last race of the series, the 10k Paphos City Run, can be run as a race on its own so that supporters of runners, as well as all who are interested can enjoy taking part.

The Cyprus International 4-day Challenge, is a staged running event, covering a distance slightly longer than a marathon with mountain running, trail running & cross country running. The event successfully combines a 6k time trial, a multiterrain half marathon, an 11k mountain trail run and a 10k City Run over four days. The event takes place in the area of Paphos, and for the most part of it, participants have the opportunity to compete in the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park, in some of Cyprus most scenic routes, where every turn comes with a different stunning view, unfolding the beauty of the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park in a panoramic sea-sky-earth motif.

Starting on 26/11 with a 6k time trial, on asphalt, runners set of in 10 second intervals and run against the clock.

On the second day, 27/11 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. After the first 800m, runners start a climb where steep ascends take turns with short, sharp descents, to give a final gain of altitude of over 600m through alternating landscapes, including a forest, a moonscape like valley and vineyards!!!

On the third day 28/11, competitors will be challenged through some extremely picturesque routes. The half marathon starts at Smigies picnic area after Neo Chorio. The race combines a “soft” mountain run during the first 10 kilometres as runners climb from 280m to 600m through the AKAMAS Nature Reserve forest, and a tough, steep descent of 9 kilometres, during which you are running from one view point to the next, For the last 2+ kilometres a flat trail run (as a minor comfort to the legs) will bring you to Toxeftra Beach, where you can finish with a "splash"!!!

On the last day, 29/11 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.

Beer, music and of course the joy and pride of having finished 4 tough days during which runners were challenged through cross country routes as well as asphalted roads in a combination of mountain running and trail running, create a lovely partying atmosphere at the finish of the 10k Paphos City Run.

The event comes to an end with a “grant” gala dinner where all prizes are awarded. During the ceremony, photos as well as video clips are played making the cross country running challenges faced the previous four days during the mountain runs and the trail runs, a sweet memory to be proud of.

If you wish to take on the Challenge, be part of the 2009 Cyprus International 4-day Challenge and test your strengths in a event that combines cross country running, mountain running, trail running, a trail half marathon, as well as a fast 10k City run, we would be more than happy to welcome you on lovely Cyprus!!!