The Festos Run reaches its tenth edition this year. On Sunday, 27 September 2026, runners and walkers from across Crete and beyond will follow a route that starts in front of the Minoan Palace of Phaistos and finishes on the beach at Kalamaki. As in previous years, the event is organised by the Cultural Associations of Kalamaki, Kamilari and Agios Ioannis, with the support of the Municipality of Phaistos and the Region of Crete.

The 10th Festos Run includes three routes, allowing the whole family to take part:

• 8 kilometres (start at 09:30) — from Phaistos, via Agios Ioannis and Kamilari, finishing on Kalamaki’s seafront road.
• 4 kilometres (start at 10:00) — from Kamilari square towards Kalamaki, with participants able to complete the route either by running or walking.
• 1 kilometre (start at 10:30) — a school race for primary-school children, along the seafront road.

The 8 km and 4 km routes feature electronic timing, while awards will be presented for the overall men’s and women’s classifications, age categories and the category for people with disabilities. The award ceremony takes place in Kalamaki square and, once the races are over, a party follows in front of the beach for children and adults alike.

Beyond its sporting character, the Festos Run maintains a consistent social purpose: for every participation, €1 is donated to the association for people with disabilities “TO MELLON”. The participation fee remains €15 for all routes and includes a commemorative collectible medal, a dry-fit T-shirt, race number, bag and refreshments during and after the race.

The route also serves as a journey through southern Crete. It begins at the second most important Minoan palace after Knossos, passes through Agios Ioannis with the Tower of Agriolidis and the Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos, and continues to Kamilari — home to one of the best-preserved Minoan tholos tombs in Crete and the monumental olive tree “Mana Elia”, around 2,800 years old — before reaching the coast of the Gulf of Messara, beside Kommos, the ancient port of Phaistos and an important nesting habitat for the Caretta caretta sea turtle. This is one of the reasons the race also attracts participants from outside Crete, who combine it with an autumn trip to the area.

Registrations: Applications are submitted online and close on Monday, 21 September 2026, at 12:00. On the day before the race, Saturday, 26 September, from 10:00 to 13:00, an equipment collection stand will operate outside the Municipality of Phaistos Town Hall in Moires.

All information on the routes, maps, categories, registrations and access is available on the event’s website: https://www.festosrun.gr/

Additional Information

• Organised by: Cultural Associations of Kalamaki, Kamilari & Agios Ioannis
• Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026
• Location: Phaistos – Agios Ioannis – Kamilari – Kalamaki, Municipality of Phaistos, Heraklion, Crete
• Website: https://www.festosrun.gr/
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/FestosRun
• Contact: Spanakaki Korina 6977572351 | Ktistaki Marianna 6983452541