MAY 28–29: AN EXTRAORDINARY RUNNER FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESOLONGHI EXODUS SURVIVORS

George Pantazis ran alone from Mesolonghi to Glyfada (opposite Trizonia), following the route of the Mesolonghi Exodus survivors. After reaching Ano Chora, the original Exodus survivors followed their own faster route toward Nafplio, where they arrived on April 28, 1826.

George did not run in pursuit of a victory or a record. He ran out of a moral obligation to honor our ancestors who took part in the Exodus.

The route was organized by the Committee of the International Academy of Freedom for the Freedom Routes project, from Mesolonghi to Nafplio (runtofreedom.org), and represents the penultimate phase of an effort that began in 2020.

The athlete-pilgrim set out from Mesolonghi at 7:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, and arrived in Glyfada at 7:12 p.m. on Friday, May 29.

He covered a distance of 195 kilometers in 36 hours and 11 minutes. It should be emphasized that he was running to honor the Exodus survivors, not to achieve a competitive result. During those 36 hours, he stopped only twice, for a total of 30 minutes, to rest and eat a light meal.

Wherever he passed, he was enthusiastically welcomed by the local residents—sometimes only a handful of them—many of whom still remember stories told by their grandparents about the Exodus.

The route was highly demanding, with a cumulative elevation gain of 6,283 meters and a maximum climb of 1,529 meters. At the same time, it passes through landscapes of exceptional natural beauty and historical significance.

The runner was guided throughout the route by the event’s Technical Director, George Diamantis, who remained awake for 40 consecutive hours.

Through this effort, we demonstrated that we are capable of organizing the Freedom Route.

We also highlighted the passage from Koutsocheri to Paradeisi, a 10-kilometer dirt road connecting Thermo and Makryneia with Evinochori and the Ionia Odos. We brought renewed attention to the beautiful and historic Artotiva Bridge. The route passed through Analipsi, Achladokastro, Platanos, Homori, Ano Chora, Limnista and, via the Mornos Bridge, entered Dorida, passing through Teichio, Potidaneia and Dafnochori, with its centuries-old plane trees, before descending to Glyfada opposite Trizonia.

This represents half of the route followed by the Exodus survivors, who from there crossed to Aigio and continued on to Nafplio.

We are now preparing for the 1st Freedom Route Race, which will start from the Sacred City of Mesolonghi on May 20, 2027. This date was chosen because it marks the day on which the people of Mesolonghi declared the Revolution against the Ottoman Empire.

We look forward to the participation and support of all of you.