The Ioannina Lake Run is one of Greece’s most distinctive running events, held every September around the stunning Lake Pamvotida.
What makes it special is the unique route: participants circle the lake, enjoying breathtaking views of the water, the island, and the surrounding mountains. The event offers races of different distances – from 5 km and 10 km to the classic 30 km – as well as power walking and children’s races, making it inclusive for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Beyond the sporting challenge, the Lake Run is a celebration of nature, culture, and community spirit, bringing together locals, visitors, and runners from across Greece and abroad. With its combination of athletic excellence, natural beauty, and festive atmosphere, the Ioannina Lake Run has become a landmark event that highlights the best of Epirus.
The Epsilon Running team, along with their dedicated supporters, was buzzing with excitement as they geared up for the highly anticipated event. Early on Saturday, September 20th, 23 spirited members of the Epsilon team set forth from Athens, embarking on a picturesque 5-hour journey to Ioannina.
When the race commenced, all 18 members of our team burst forth, propelled by adrenaline and determination. Our standout athlete, Ioannis Panopoulos, surged ahead, closely trailed by the spirited Violeta Athanasiou, alongside a formidable line-up including Lito Vertzini, Gregory Galanakis, Antigoni Matai, Panos Mimis, Lefteris Papadopoulos, Aggelos Pretzias, Christina Alexandri, Panagiota Tsoulakou, Konstantinos Fetintze, Tamta Maishasvili, Natassa Rousi, Evelina Psarrou, Melina Fragkia, Gina Chatzi, Katerina Zachariou, and Athanasia Margariti.
The following morning brought yet another display of resilience as Katerina Kontoravdi embarked on the 30km race, a true testament to her unwavering dedication following months of rigorous training. United in spirit, she was joined by Ioannis, Violeta, and Gina, who tackled the 10km race with gusto, while Lito and Konstantinos completed the 30km power walk in an impressive 5 hours.
We are already looking forward to next year, hoping to welcome even more participants. Stay tuned for our upcoming adventure, the Hydra Trail 2026!
