Four days of sport, hospitality and unforgettable experiences, featuring athletes with 44 international medals and a historic women’s achievement
From Thursday, 15 to Sunday, 18 October, Santorini Experience 2026 transformed Santorini into an open-air stadium overlooking the Aegean Sea. Olympians and amateur athletes shared the same starting line, swimmers dived in from the volcano, runners tackled the trails along the edge of the Caldera, and the island’s children had the opportunity to hear champions speak firsthand about dreams, hard work and values.
Santorini Experience 2026 recorded more than 3,600 participations across races, sporting, educational and recreational activities. Athletes from 42 countries and four continents (Europe, America, Asia and Oceania) took part, with one in four participants travelling from abroad. Local participation was particularly strong this year, with island residents embracing the event and celebrating it as their own. Participants ranged in age from 1 to 72, with 56% men and 44% women. The event also made a significant contribution to the island’s tourism industry: over the course of four nights, more than 2,000 overnight stays were recorded across 38 hotels in Santorini, which supported the event as hospitality sponsors.
For the 12th year, the event demonstrated that sport can be one of the most authentic ways to discover a destination. Amid music nights, culinary discoveries and the warm hospitality of the island’s people, Santorini Experience 2026 came to a close, leaving behind memories that went far beyond stopwatches and rankings.
A Medal Table in Santorini
Santorini Experience 2026 brought more than just big names in sport to the island. It brought together athletes with 44 international medals in running and swimming, alongside a Super Bowl ring and a EuroLeague title.
In open-water swimming, the 38-medal tally was led by Germany’s Leonie Beck, a three-time world champion with 11 medals from World and European Championships. Joining her were Italy’s Barbara Pozzobon, with eight medals, Hungary’s Anna Olasz, with seven, and Georgia Damasioti, Caroline Jouisse and Mario Sanzullo, with three medals each. Dutch swimmer Marcel Schouten has two medals, while Japan’s Yasunari Hirai is a 2017 Asian champion and a two-time Olympian.
In athletics, Antigoni Ntrismpioti, a double European champion at the 2022 Munich Championships, shared the spotlight with a remarkable sporting family: Periklis Iakovakis, the 2006 European champion and 2007 World Championship bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles, and his daughter, Eleni Iakovaki, the 17-year-old European U18 400m champion who holds the Greek national record of 52.38 seconds and also won bronze at this year’s World Athletics U20 Championships. Father and daughter, with four international medals between them, provided one of the event’s most memorable moments: two generations of champions on the same island.
Completing the line-up were Stevan Ridley, a Super Bowl XLIX champion with the New England Patriots; EuroLeague legend Joe Arlauckas, who won the 1995 European title with Real Madrid; and Olympic medallist Evina Maltsi, the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Greek women’s national basketball team.
Outstanding Performances and Victories Decided by the Narrowest of Margins
Two victories decided by less than a second, multiple podium finishes and performances ranking among the best in the event’s history defined the sporting programme of Santorini Experience 2026.
Stylianos Drosos claimed first place in the 15km powered by The North Face for the fourth time, adding his 2026 victory to those of 2016, 2018 and 2019. In a thrilling finish, he crossed the line just six-tenths of a second ahead of the runner-up. He also won the inaugural Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km, setting the first course record with a time of 20:17. He remains the event’s 5km record holder, with a time of 18:19 set in 2022.
The 2.4km open-water swim was equally dramatic. France’s Caroline Jouisse claimed first place overall, ahead of both the men and women, with a time of 30:29. Jouisse beat Yasunari Hirai by just eight-tenths of a second in another contest decided right at the finish line.
In the women’s 5km, Eleni Iakovaki returned to the top of the podium in a distance for which she holds the women’s course record, set at 23:38 in 2022.
Also among the standout performers was Klaudia Namyslik, from Baden-Baden, Germany, who won the women’s 15km in 1:22:25, recording the second-fastest winning time in the event’s history. Elina Arapidou claimed first place in the women’s 10km in 1:02:25, achieving the third-fastest winning time ever recorded over that distance.
Denmark’s Janne Holstein Pehrson celebrated two podium finishes, winning the women’s Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km and taking second place in the women’s 15km.
Finally, internationally renowned ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes completed three races at the event, either on his own or alongside fellow ultrarunner Jo Manta and their newborn child. He crossed the finish line in the Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km, the 15km powered by The North Face and the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” powered by Miele.
Life Lessons from Olympians
The event opened in the most meaningful way, with talks held with the support of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group. On Thursday, 15 October, at Mesaria Junior High School, and on Friday, 16 October, at the Bellonio Cultural Centre in Fira, the Group’s ambassadors met students from primary, junior high and senior high schools in the Municipality of Thira, sharing experiences and lessons that cannot be found in textbooks.
Antigoni Ntrismpioti and Olympic Youth gold medallist in javelin Elina Tzengko spoke about perseverance, sacrifice and the joy of achievement, showing students that every great success begins with small, everyday steps. Olympic basketball player and two-time European champion Dimitris Papanikolaou highlighted the power of diversity and inclusion, reminding the students that a team succeeds when everyone has a place in it. Motorsport instructor Thanasis Chountras focused on road safety, a vital message for the drivers of tomorrow. These meetings reaffirmed that sport remains one of the most powerful sources of inspiration for the younger generation.
An Olympic Swimmer on the Running Podium
Kamari hosted the two new running events introduced this year, starting from Sandblu Santorini. In the Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km, which followed the coastline beneath the archaeological site of Ancient Thera, Stylianos Drosos crossed the finish line first, followed by Stylianos Noulas and Christos Soultatis. In the women’s race, winner Janne Holstein Pehrson was followed by Marsha Dunkel and Anna Olasz, who swapped the water for the land and proved that great athletes know no boundaries.
Meanwhile, the Sandblu 5km Kamari Coast Pet Run provided some of the most heartwarming moments of the four-day event, as owners and their four-legged companions enjoyed a walk along the coast together, where companionship mattered more than the stopwatch.
Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km: A Race with a Message That Lives Beyond the Finish Line
At the Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km, athletic achievement was combined with an equally important goal: incorporating more responsible choices into the planning and delivery of a running event. With Sandblu Santorini, LXR Hotels & Resorts, part of Hilton, as its focal point, the event brought sport and hospitality together through practices that made sustainability tangible for participants, reflected in the materials and experiences accompanying them every step of the way.
Race bibs were made from paper containing embedded seeds, allowing runners to plant them after the race and transform a memento of their effort into new life. The medals carried a similar message, having been made from discarded materials. Objects that had reached the end of their original life cycle were given a new purpose as symbols of participation, perseverance and achievement. The medal therefore acquired a dual value: a reminder of crossing the finish line and a tangible example of how items commonly considered waste can be repurposed.
The initiative was complemented by T-shirts made from 100% recycled materials, bags made from 100% cotton and designed for repeated use, as well as a recycling programme at the start and finish areas, integrating waste management into the everyday operation of the race.
The same philosophy extended to refreshments and the event atmosphere. Locally sourced seasonal fruit and fresh juices gave athletes a taste of local produce, while the music offered a creative interpretation of reuse: barrels were transformed into drums, accompanying the rhythms created by two DJs. The use of a solar generator to meet part of the event’s energy needs added another dimension to its environmental planning.
From the race bib to the medal, and from refreshments to music, the Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km demonstrated how a race can also serve as a hands-on learning experience, leaving participants with lasting memories and valuable ideas about their relationship with the environment.
Crossing the Caldera: From the Volcano to the Old Port
The waters of the Caldera hosted the event’s most iconic race. Swimmers dived in from the volcano to take on the 1.5-mile (2.4km) crossing, following a course designed by technical director Nikos Gemelos with the assistance of Italian coach Fabrizio Antonelli, named Coach of the Year in 2021 and recognised for his role in the development of Gregorio Paltrinieri. The race finished at the Old Port of Fira.
Participant safety was a top priority, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Port Authority, the Thira Port Fund, Geothira, Lifeguard Patrol, Caldera Yachting, the Santorini Nautical Club, the Santorini Boatmen’s Association, DEYATH, the Loula and Evangelos Nomikos Foundation, the Thira Volunteer Rescue Corps, the Thira Police Department, the Municipal Police and Health Spot.
From transporting swimmers to the volcano to monitoring every metre of the course, all those involved attended to every detail, ensuring that participants could swim with confidence and enjoy the unique experience of the Caldera. All swimmers wore individual inflatable safety buoys and were accompanied by support boats throughout the course.
World-Class Names on the Podium
The podium lived up to the stature of the event. It is rare to see so many leading open-water swimming personalities sharing the podium at a single race.
Alongside Caroline Jouisse, Barbara Pozzobon and Georgia Damasioti, an athlete sponsored by VIKOS Natural Mineral Water, joined the women’s podium, delivering a moment of particular pride for the Greek audience.
In the men’s race, Yasunari Hirai reaffirmed his special connection with Santorini by claiming his third victory, following his wins in 2019 and 2025. Marcel Schouten finished second, while Thomas Bousgas took third place.
Running with Breathtaking Views
The event’s finale unfolded along the trail connecting Oia and Fira, with both the start and finish located at the Desalination Plant.
The 15km powered by The North Face lived up to its reputation as the event’s most demanding and, at the same time, most spectacular challenge. Starting along the Caldera, runners tackled uphill and downhill trails across dramatic volcanic terrain, with the Aegean Sea stretching out before them at every turn. They passed the chapel of Prophet Elias, crossed picturesque Imerovigli and reached the entrance to Fira, at the Church of Saint Gerasimos, before returning to the starting point.
It was an authentic outdoor experience in which the intensity of the volcanic landscape met the uniqueness of the surroundings. The setting perfectly reflected The North Face’s philosophy of exploration and connection with nature.
Equally exhilarating, the 10km powered by SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group, gave runners an adrenaline-filled experience along the rim of the Caldera. Meanwhile, the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” powered by Miele welcomed participants of all fitness levels, whether running or power walking.
Regardless of distance or finishing time, everyone shared the same emotions. Smiles at the finish line, photographs against the deep blue backdrop, hugs and words of encouragement exchanged between strangers who became companions over just a few kilometres defined this year’s finale. Because in Santorini, every finish line represents a small victory.
Awards That Stole the Show
The winners did not leave empty-handed. In swimming, prizes were provided by 42K, SportAdore and Spanou Jewelry, while the running awards included gifts from Spanou Jewelry, SportAdore and OAKBERRY.
A special moment of the event was the presentation of honorary awards to Joe Arlauckas, Evina Maltsi, Periklis Iakovakis, Stevan Ridley, Nikos Gemelos and Fabrizio Antonelli — six personalities who have left their mark on sport.
The awards, created by marble sculptor Grigoris Kouskouris and Othen Elemental Aesthetics, embody the artistic signature and identity of the island, serving as a lasting expression of gratitude for their contributions to sport.
After the Finish Line, the Dance Floor Came Alive
The nights of Santorini Experience had a rhythm of their own. At Marilyn Bar, the DJ Junior Rush party powered by VIKOS COLA set the tone for the celebrations to come. With an exceptional instinct for reading the crowd, Junior Rush delivered an energetic set, moving effortlessly from groovy sounds to powerful beats and keeping the dance floor moving throughout the night.
Refreshing sips of VIKOS COLA, smiles, dancing and a crowd gathered from every corner of the world created a night with an authentic summer vibe in the middle of October.
In the grounds of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Fira, renowned DJ Vassilis Tsilichristos transformed the panoramic Caldera views into the setting for an unforgettable party attended by thousands. With his refined style and signature sound, the acclaimed DJ blended his music with the colours of the sky, taking the audience on a journey that lasted until the final note.
The evening opened with a live performance by Angela “S”. Bombay Sapphire accompanied the music with premium cocktails and its iconic Gin & Tonic, adding a touch of elegance to a night that will remain in the memories of those who attended.
The event was supported by AESTIAN Philoxenia & Hospitality, the Municipal Community of Thira and Rizes Gastro Taverna.
A Culinary Journey into the Heart of Santorini
At Santorini Experience 2026, discovering the island extended beyond the sporting routes through a programme connecting physical activity with gastronomy, wine and cultural heritage.
The volcanic landscape that provided the backdrop for the races gave way to the flavours and wines of the same land, creating a unified story about the destination and its people.
Guests enjoyed meals at Rizes Gastro Taverna, featuring the creative cuisine of Executive Chef Alexandros Makropoulos and Head Chef Maria Sylla; at Alati, at Vedema, with Executive Chef Rafail Tsakiris; at Nectar at Sandblu; and at Blu Restaurant in Imerovigli, also part of the same group, with chefs Thymios Kola and Panagiotis Boufis.
Meanwhile, Miele and Sandblu presented a special wine-tasting experience at Blu, attended by guests, Olympians and journalists, highlighting Santorini’s vineyards as an integral part of the island’s identity.
Around the table, athletes, partners and media representatives had the opportunity to share experiences and discover Santorini through its hospitality.
The collaboration with the “D. Nomikos” Tomato Industrial Museum further strengthened this connection, highlighting the island’s industrial heritage and the history of one of its most iconic local products.
In this way, the event demonstrated how sports tourism can bring visitors closer to a destination’s everyday life, flavours and culture, creating connections that endure long after the finish line.
The Island in Four Sips
Santorini’s volcanic soul unfolded in every glass during “Volcanic Stories – A Santorini Wine Tasting”.
Guests embarked on a journey through four wines: Inspire Cuvée Privée from Venetsanos Winery, Santorini from Argyros Estate, Nykteri from Mikra Thira and Vinsanto from Gavalas Winery.
They discovered the minerality, salinity and distinctive character that volcanic soil lends to wine, in an experience that added a special touch of sophistication and enjoyment to the event.
From the Sky to the Island’s Roads
SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group and the event’s Premium Mobility Partner, made every journey across Santorini an integral part of the overall experience.
With its modern premium fleet, SIXT ensured comfortable and safe transfers for participants, from the starting point in Kamari to the trails of Oia. Participants reached their destinations relaxed and stress-free, ready to take on the challenges and enjoy every moment of the event.
For many, the journey began in the clouds with SKY express, the event’s Official Airline Sponsor. The Greek airline has the youngest fleet in Greece and one of the youngest in Europe. With nine daily flights from Athens and an extensive international network, the airline brought athletes, companions and supporters of the event within easy reach of the Caldera.
Stoiximan by Every Athlete’s Side
The second year of Stoiximan as a Silver Sponsor of Santorini Experience left its own distinctive mark.
With a long-standing presence alongside teams, events and athletes throughout Greece, Stoiximan supported every runner and swimmer this year, demonstrating that backing sport goes beyond major stadiums and television broadcasts.
Its decision to associate its name with an event that brings together sport, nature and culture reflects a vision of sport that includes everyone, from Olympians to amateur athletes testing their abilities for the first time.
Stoiximan’s presence in Santorini highlighted the value of amateur sport, where participation matters more than victory. The runner crossing the finish line for the first time, the group of friends swimming together from the volcano, and the island resident turning a familiar everyday route into a race all represent the heart of the event that Stoiximan chose to support.
These small, personal victories embody the true essence of sport: effort, perseverance and the joy of participation.
Through Stoiximan Nation, the company also offered one winner the opportunity to experience the entire event up close, free of charge.
The Partners Who Made the Difference
On Sunday afternoon, the adventure continued away from the asphalt. With the support of Santo Line Tours, the event’s Official Travel Agency, the Black Trails Santorini Off-Road Experience took guests along dirt tracks and into hidden corners of Santorini, where the volcanic landscape reveals its most authentic character.
OAKBERRY, a Partner of the event, provided freshness and energy throughout the four-day programme. Its açaí bowls, made with the antioxidant-rich purple fruit from the Amazon, offered an ideal option before physical activity and a delicious way to refuel after crossing the finish line. Participants also enjoyed a 20% discount at the brand’s store on the island.
In addition, OAKBERRY rewarded the male and female winners of the 15km running races with free meals for an entire year at its stores — a gift that will remind them of Santorini with every bowl.
A steadfast supporter of the event, Trace ’n Chase returned this year as the Sports Memorabilia Partner, bringing to Santorini Experience the appeal of collectible memorabilia that keeps the greatest moments in sport alive.
The Journey Does Not End Here
Santorini Experience 2026 has come to an end, but its story continues.
The organisers extend their heartfelt thanks to the athletes, the volunteers from the University of Piraeus, the sponsors, partners and residents of the island, who once again brought Santorini together to run, swim and celebrate. The event looks forward to welcoming everyone back for the next meeting with the Caldera.
Event Sponsors and Partners
Premium Mobility Partner: SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group.
Gold Sponsors: Sandblu Santorini, AESTIAN Philoxenia & Hospitality.
Official Airline Sponsor: SKY express.
Official Trail Running Shoe: The North Face.
Silver Sponsors: Stoiximan, Miele.
Official Water: VIKOS Natural Mineral Water.
Bronze Sponsor: Blue Star Ferries.
Official Technical T-shirt: 42K Running.
Official Travel Agency: Santo Line Tours.
Official Skincare Partner: EMÉNNA.
Partners: OAKBERRY, Bombay Sapphire, Caldera Yachting.
Volunteer Sponsor: McDonald’s.
Official Sports Store: Alafouzos Sport.
Official Supporters: Othen Elemental Aesthetics, Vacation Into Premium, “D. Nomikos” Tomato Industrial Museum, Empiria Group, Lifeguard Patrol.
Jewelry Partner: Spanou Jewelry.
Sports Memorabilia Partner: Trace ’n Chase.
Event Supporters: Municipal Community of Thira, Marilyn Bar Santorini, Health Spot.
Educational Partner: University of Piraeus.
Hospitality Sponsors
The hotels that supported Santorini Experience 2026 were:
Sandblu Santorini, Athina Luxury Suites, NOŪS Santorini, Empiria Group (Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini), Katikies Garden Santorini, Santo Collection Resorts & Villas, Apeiron Blue, Canaves Collection, 270 Oia’s View, Lydia’s House, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, Aqua Vista Hotels, Agave Santorini Design Boutique Hotel, Holiday Beach Resort, Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Eteoro Suites Santorini, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Thimari Lodge, Rocabella Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Loizos Stylish Residences, Santorini Heart Hotel & Spa, Sea Sound White Katikies, The Muses of Santorini Suites, Kalisti Hotel & Suites, Phaos Santorini Suites, Santo Mangata, Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites, Fanouris Condo, Mon Signor, Epavlis Hotel, Blue Spa Santorini, Golden Grey Goose, Orama Hotel & Spa, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas and Sienna Eco Resort.
The event was held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO).
Santorini Experience is co-organised by the Municipality of Thira, the Municipality of Thira’s Department of Sports and Culture and ActiveMedia Group.
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