Everything ready for the 11th Korissos run on sand

Everything is ready for the 11th Korissos run on sand - 7km for adults and 1,200m for primary school pupils - that will be held on Saturday 2 September in Issos at 17:00. This event has been organised annually since 2013 by cultural, sports, health and education groups and individuals and workers' organisations, under the "IsSOS initiative" which evolved into a legal entity - the Korissos Environmental, Cultural & Sports Society.

"... the event’s purpose is once again to highlight the need to respect this amazing ecosystem, to protect it from any kind of exploitation with private investments. We are here to say that Issos needs us and we need it too! The proposals that have been elaborated by local community bodies for the present and future of Issos, Limni and Halikouna should be a guide to a sensitive local government and state and, at the same time, a guide for the bodies’ claiming fight..." said the Society’s President Nikos Perros.

He went on to say that "the island’s ecosystem management body will initiate positive developments and should become the target of a wider mass movement for the creation of a sea park. Turtles, seals, otters, flamingos and dozens of other fauna and rare flora make it essential. Alykes, Issos with Limni and Halikouna, Halikiopoulos Lagoon, Antinioti, Erimitis and other smaller areas are sources of life for the wider area. Law No. 4685 - also known in Greece as Hatzidakis Law - leaves no room for complacency, at a time when - with fast-track licensing and reference to the Natura areas - they can become subject to investments and their ecosystems can be sacrificed for the sake of the Renewable Energy Sources."

The organisers remined that "during quarantine it was the only sporting event held and it was successful thanks to their experience".

The participation form is available on the website korissos.gr in the section "Παραλαβή αρχείων". Those interested have to send it to [email protected].

Dozens of bodies support the event and it is being co-organised by Corfu 'Victor' Union of Former Athletes (SEVAS), Corfu Gymnastics Association, the Corfu branch of the National Youth Committee (ESYN), Corfu Hospital Psychiatric Centre drug rehabilitation programme, 'Laodamas' and the Corfu branch of the Panhellenic Union of Physical Education Graduates (PEPFA). The Ionian Islands Region also participates as a co-organiser, as well as the Ionian Islands Regional Union of Municipalities and the South Corfu Municipality with an event on Issos beach on Saturday 24 September with a race for junior high school children and beach handball matches.

You can register online, but you can also go to the secretariat 2 hours before the event (at 15:00) to submit an application form and receive a number and a commemorative shirt. Medals will be awarded to all participants. Participation will, of course, be free of charge this year as well!