13th Korissos Running Race on Sand - Saturday 6 September
CORFU. Registrations are submitted online, but participants may also arrive at the registration desk up to 2 hours before (at 15:00) to submit an application/declaration and receive their athlete number along with a commemorative vest.
Everything is ready for Saturday, September 6 (17:00 at Issos) for the 13th Korissos Running Race on Sand: 7 km for adults and 1,200 m for primary school pupils.
This is an event that has been organised every year since 2013, thanks to individuals and organisations from the fields of culture, sports, health, education, and workers’ unions, under the initiative “IsSOS,” which later evolved into a legal entity: the Korissos Environmental, Sport and Cultural Association.
“… The purpose of this event, too, is to further highlight the necessity of respecting this unique ecosystem, to protect it in various ways from human intervention and from any ‘bad ideas’ of exploitation through private investment. We are here to say that Issos needs us and we also need it!
"This ecosystem influences the overall climate of Corfu and Northwestern Greece. The proposals prepared by local community groups for the present and the future of Issos, the Lake, and Halikounas must guide a sensitive local government and state, while also serving as a roadmap for the struggles and advocacy of these groups…” stated the president of the association, Nikos Perros. He continued:
“There is a need and demand for a management body for the ecosystems of the island, one that will set developments on a positive path. It should also become a goal of the broader popular movement to create a Marine Park—although such parks were announced for the Ionian Sea, unfortunately, Corfu is not included for now. The turtles, the monk seals, the otters, the flamingos, and dozens of other species of fauna, as well as rare flora, demand it.
"The salt flats, Issos with its lake and Halikounas, Chalikiopoulos Lagoon, Antinioti, Erimitis, and other smaller areas are sources of life for the wider region. At the same time, however, with fast-track permits—even in Natura areas—they can become targets for investment (Law 4685, known as the Hatzidakis Law), sacrificing ecosystems even for renewable energy projects.”
On the website korissos.gr (a secure site!), those interested can download the participation form from the “file downloads” section and send it by email to [email protected]
Dozens of organisations support the event. As mentioned in the official announcement, it is co-organised by Korissos together with the Corfu Regional Committee of SEGAS, SEVAS Corfu “Victor,” the Corfu Gymnastics Club, the Corfu branch of ESYN, the Parents and Friends of Diaplus Association (rehabilitation programme of the Psychiatric Clinic of Corfu General Hospital), EKAOK Corfu “Laodamas,” and PEPFA Corfu. The Hellenic Olympians Association also supports this event. The Ionian Islands Regional Authority and the Municipality of South Corfu are co-organisers as well. Parallel to the race, Beach Handball matches will be held at the venue where the European Beach Handball Championship took place in 2009.
Registrations are submitted online, but participants may also arrive at the registration desk up to 2 hours before (at 15:00) to submit an application/declaration and receive their athlete number along with a commemorative vest. Medals will be awarded to all participants. Participation is, of course, free again this year!
ELENI KORONAKI
Photo: Korissos Nikos Perros
