With the XM Limassol Marathon set to take place this weekend, 21 and 22 March, Andreas Spyrou the event's Business Development Director has revealed what partipants and spectators can expect from this year's highly-anticpated Marathon, including that more than 17,000 runners are anticpated to be taking part this year.
In an interview with CBN, Spyrou also discusses how the Marathon has evolved since its inception, including that this year's event boasts a 36% increase in the number of runners coming from abroad.
Among other things, he also talks about some of the elements that will make this year's XM Limassol Marathon stand out from previous editions.
How has the XM Limassol Marathon evolved since its inception, and what makes this year’s edition stand out compared to previous years? Will it include any special events?
The XM Limassol Marathon has evolved from a local running event into the largest sports event in Cyprus and a truly international meeting point for runners. What started as a community race has grown into a major sporting celebration that attracts thousands of participants from Cyprus and abroad every year.
Today, the event hosts a full weekend of races, including the XM Marathon Race, the Muskita Half Marathon, the Petrolina 10K Energy Race, the Axlebolt 5KM City Race, the McDonald’s Kids Race 1 KM, and the PrimeTel 5KM Corporate Race. This variety allows runners of all ages and abilities to take part.
One of the most exciting developments is the event’s growing international reach. For the upcoming edition on 21 and 22 March, we expect around 3,000 international runners, representing a remarkable 36% increase compared to last year. At the same time, the marathon has become the sports meeting point for thousands of local runners and the island’s largest team-building activity, thanks to the extremely popular PrimeTel 5KM Corporate Race.
This year is also particularly significant as it marks the first edition with XM as the title sponsor of the event. With XM’s support, we are launching a CSR campaign to collect money, support, and raise awareness for patients of Multiple Sclerosis through the Cyprus Multiple Sclerosis Association.
How many people are you expecting to attend/run the marathon?
We expect more than 17,000 runners to participate in the XM Limassol Marathon across all races.
Registrations are developing extremely positively this year. We anticipate more than 1,000 runners in the XM Marathon Race and over 2,000 runners in the Muskita Half Marathon, which are extraordinary numbers for Cyprus and highlight the strong growth of distance running on the island.
The PrimeTel 5KM Corporate Race will once again be a major highlight of the weekend. We expect around 300 corporate teams, translating into more than 13,000 thousand participants, making it the largest corporate team-building sporting event in Cyprus.
Overall, the atmosphere during the weekend of 21–22 March will be vibrant, with thousands of runners, supporters, and visitors coming together along Limassol’s seafront.
More generally, who can participate in the marathon and how?
One of the key strengths of the XM Limassol Marathon is that it is designed to welcome everyone, from experienced runners to complete beginners.
Participants can choose from a wide range of races depending on their goals and fitness level. For endurance runners, there is the XM Marathon Race and the Muskita Half Marathon. For those looking for shorter distances, the Petrolina 10K Energy Race and the Axlebolt 5KM City Race offer accessible and exciting options.
Families and young runners can take part in the McDonald’s Kids Race 1 KM, which is free of charge, encouraging children to discover the joy of sport. At the same time, companies and organisations can participate in the PrimeTel 5KM Corporate Race, which has become the largest team-building sporting activity in Cyprus.
In short, the XM Limassol Marathon is designed so that anyone can be part of the experience, whether they are chasing a personal record, running with friends, or simply enjoying the unique atmosphere of the event.
Will there be people visiting from abroad to participate? Are there any packages available for foreign visitors? Is there concern that the current geopolitical situation may impact participation from runners coming from overseas?
International participation is a key part of the XM Limassol Marathon, as the event has tourism in its DNA.
For the upcoming edition, we expect around 3,000 runners from abroad, a 36% increase compared to last year. Over the years, the event has successfully built strong connections with specific running communities in Greece, Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and several Balkan countries.
The marathon is not only a race but also an opportunity for visitors to experience Cyprus during a pleasant time of the year, combining sport with travel, hospitality, and the vibrant atmosphere of Limassol.
Of course, the current geopolitical environment is something that all international events must consider. While there may be some impact in certain markets, our outlook remains positive, and we expect any negative effects on international participation to be limited.
How important do you believe events such as the XM Limassol Marathon are for Cyprus?
Events such as the XM Limassol Marathon are extremely important for Cyprus, both from a sporting and an economic perspective.
First, they help position Cyprus as a growing international sports destination, capable of hosting high-quality events that attract participants from across Europe and beyond.
Second, the event contributes to tourism during the off-season, bringing thousands of visitors to Limassol at a time when the island traditionally receives fewer tourists.
At the same time, the marathon strengthens the international branding of Limassol as a vibrant and active city, showcasing its beautiful seafront and hospitality to participants and visitors from around the world.
Finally, the XM Limassol Marathon plays an important role in creating a multiplier effect for sport in Cyprus. Its success encourages the development of more sporting events and helps grow a culture of participation, inspiring both locals and international visitors to engage with sport and with Cyprus.
