1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Corfu Benitses, Achilleian race
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The union of Ionian Islands with Greece is officially celebrated here on May 21st when schools, armed forces, fire department, and other organisations parade in Corfu Town, accompanied by the bands of the City, and in the presence of local dignitaries.
One or two days later depending on the weather the annual Achilleian race takes pl;ace, a semi marathon in which anyone can participate regardless of sex or age.
The route passes through the villages of the municipality and after about 21 km the athletes finish in Benitses, where the awards and medals are presented.
Each year the race is upgraded, and last year athletes from all over Greece took part, and also many from Italy.
Following the event there are performances by local dancers, singers and musicians.
Great success had this year the Achilleian race in Corfu
Crowned with success for the fifth consecutive year, is theAchilleian Road Race of 10 000 meters and the semi-marathon of 21km, run for the first time on Sunday 23 May 2010, starting from the centre of Kynopiastes School and the nursery of the Municipality of Achilleion respectively, and both ending in the main square of Benitses.
Taking part in the race were athletes belonging to the powerful Athletics Federation, clubs, associations of runners for health, veteran athletes and general particpants from Corfu and mainland Greece. The participation of athletes from the city of Patras, which this year honored the game, was partuclarly impressive but runners also came from Trikala, Preveza, Igoumenitsa Agrinio, Athens, Kozani, Kavala, and for the first time about 60 athletes from Italy.
The athletes participation surpassed all expectations, as the number of participants exceeded 300 people.
Finishing first in the General Ranking and the race of 10, 000metres in the men’s category was Thomas Nikas from Corfu and in the women’s category athlete Evangelia Donta from Corfu,. In the semi-marathon in the men’s class John Stamatopoulos of CMS Patras was first, and in the women#s category Gratsani Paraskevi from Trikala. came first
The supporting organisations contributed significantly to the success of the event, primarily the Police Department of Achilleion, the Corfu branch of the Greek Rescue Team, the motorsports team of Achilleion, the Greek Red Cross, the clinic "THERAPIA", the Primary Health Care of Moraitika (provided an ambulance during the race), the P.E.P.F.A.of the prefecture of Corfu, the Amateur Sports accociation, the prefectural officer of Corfu Mr. Amoiridis, the CF Athletics Federation, the Association of Crete, the Corfu Athletic Association, the group of football and volleyball VOLIDA, the Sports Karate Association of Achilleion, the Athletic Club Kerkyra, the Cultural Association of Benitses and many citizens.
It must be noted that funding came from the organizing Region of Ionian Islands and the NEW BALANCE, and GETIL (MESIMERIS - Skiadopoulos), Germanos, and Dionysis Chalikias. Communication sponsors were the broadcaster TILEKERKYRA and radio stations RADIO CORFU, POP FM and LIFE RADIO. There were also substantial contributions by the individuals: Mr Nick Perros, Mr G. Psailas, Mr Nikos Moschos, Mr Christos Vradis, Mrs Stamatella Pouli, Lambrini Gioti and Elena Poulimenou as members of the Organizing Committee.
The awards ceremony included dancing by the cheerleader Schools of Nante Rizos and Mika Giourgas and the Dance Department of the Cultural Association of Benitses, while the signal for the race’s start was given by the Mayor of Achilleion Mr Erotokritos Karidis and the President of O.N.A.D.A Mr.Spyros Kardamis with the presence of the Philharmonic bands of Gastouri and Kynopiastes.
It is worth noting that during the awards ceremony for the winners O.N.A.D.A. plaque honoring Paul Skordilis recognizing his contribution to sports events on the island was unveiled.
GREEK REPUBLIC
FROM THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CORFU
6th Achilles Road Race of 10,000 meters and semi Marathon of 21,100 meters (06/06/2011)
Held last Sunday (5/6/2011) the 6th Achilles Road Race of 10,000 m and the semi Marathon of 21,100 m., starting in center of Kynopiastes School and nursery of the Municipal Unit of Achilleion respectively and finished at the main square of Benitses.
In the event took place athletes belonging to the power of Athletics Federation, clubs, health associations runners, veteran athletes and fans from Corfu and mainland Greece. Impressive was the participation of athletes from Patras honored this year of struggle, but also from the cities of Ioannina, Preveza, Igoumenitsa, Athens, Thessaloniki and about 100 athletes from Italy. The athletes exceeded their participation in 250 and reached the finish around 200 of them.
Finished first in the General rank in the path of 10,000 m in the category of men, Nikas Thomas from Corfu and in the category of women Koukakis Catherine, while on the road of 21,100 m in the category of men finished first the athlete John Stamatopoulos athletic federation of Patras, who scored a record, and in the category of Women Kourlesi Joanna.
The success of the organization contributed substantially, the Police Department of Achilleion and Corfu Municipal Police, Corfu Annex of the Greek Rescue Team, the motor Sports team of Achilleion, the Hellenic Red Cross, the General Hospital of Corfu, Corfu General Clinic Primary Health Care at Moraitika (provided an ambulance during the race), the Department P.E.P.F.A. Corfu, SP Athletics Federation, the Association of Judges, the Corfiot Athletic Club, the football team VOLIDA, the Sports Karate Association of Achilleion, the Cultural Associations of the area and many residents.
It should be mentioned that contributed to the organization: the NEW BALANCE, the DIELLAS and Accounting Office of Georgia Mitsi, while media sponsors were the Broadcasters CORFU CHANNEL and START TV and radio stations STAR FM, RADIO CORFU, POP FM, KYMA FM , IONIAN RADIO, ANTENNA CORFU, new radio and LIFE RADIO.
The awards ceremony included dancing cheerleaders from the Rizos Nantes and Mika Giourga schools of Dance and the Dance Department of the Cultural Association of Benitses
In awarding the medals and cup winners attended the Aldermen Erotokritos Karidis, Barbara Vlassis, Anastasios Potamitis, Alexandros Poulis, President of the cultural organization, sport and environment of the City Mr Spyros Pandis, and the President of the Local Benitses Community Mr George Spinoulas.
Further, the results of the race categories can be found at the site of the event: www.achilliosagonasdromou.gr
Results of sixth Achilles Race of 10,000 meters
Category of Women - aged 50 + years
1st Pangalou Dionisia
Category of Women - aged 40 to 49 years
1st Fiona Fitzrou
2nd Katerina Papageorgiou
3rd Kritikou Elena
Category of Women - aged 30 to 39 years
1st Katerina Koukakis
2nd Jokuti Andrienn
3rd Lessi Maria
Category of Women - aged 16 to 29 years
1st Gkorogia Georgia
2nd Eleni Kosmas
3rd Kourlesi Eleni
Category of Men - aged 60 + years
1st Moltsas Athanasios
2nd Vradis Christos
3rd Maspace Karl
Category of Men - aged 50 - 59 years
1st Tzanetis Dimitrios
2nd Mathesis Spyros
3rd Gkoutormp Kallikrates
Category of Men - aged 40 to 49 years
1st Nikas Thomas
2nd Koligiotis Theodoros
3rd John Xanthopoulos
Category of Men - aged 30 to 39 years
1st Poulimas Nikolaos
2nd Katsaros Arsenis
3rd Michael Matsis
Category of Men - aged 16 to 29 years
1st Vlasseros Haralampos
2nd Domazetovic Alexander
3rd Paskai Elias
Results for the sixth Achilles Marathon Race of 21,100 meters
Category of Women - aged 50 + years
1st Attolico Maddalena
2nd Caradonna Angela
Category of Women - aged 40 to 49 years
1st Vinou Hera
2nd Softova Lyoubomira
3rd Acconciaioco Luisa
Category of Women - aged 30 to 39 years
1st Kourlesi Joanna
2nd Metallinou Zoi
3rd Lattanzio Cinzia
Category of Men - aged 60 + years
1st Torre Michelle
2nd Collela Carlo
Category of Men - aged 50 - 59 years
1st Siffano Gaetano
2nd Griesi Grancesco
3rd Radichhio Biagio
Category of Men - aged 40 to 49 years
1st Agathos Spiros
2nd Divittorio Francesco
3rd Cardillo Giuseppe
Category of Men - aged 30 to 39 years
1st John Stamatopoulos
2nd Cheimarios Alexandros
3rd Mineccia Andrea
Category of Men - aged 16 to 29 years
1st Ruta Federico
2nd Gerochristos Christos
3rd Phanariotis Dionisios
Benitses is situated on the south eastcoast of Corfu, only 12 kilometres from Corfu town, and 9 kilometres from the international airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.
In recent years it was a part of the Municipality of Achilleion but since 2011 it has been one of the districts of the Municipality of Corfu, following centralization of local government.
It is one of the most traditional Corfiot villages with unique natural beauty and has long been a very popular and well known tourist destination as it was here that the first beach hotel on Corfu was built, The Avra.
When speaking of tourism on Corfu this is where it started..
