“Sporting events have enormous potential to support tourism and economic activity in Cyprus, particularly outside the traditional summer season,” Constantinos Daltas, the Founder of the upcoming Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon, suggests.
Speaking to CBN ahead of the Sunday, 15 November event, Daltas also reveals that this year’s ninth edition constitutes an exciting new chapter for the Marathon, noting, “The biggest change is our redesigned marathon course, which is the flattest and fastest in Cyprus, offering excellent conditions for runners aiming to achieve a personal best.”
He also comments on the growing global interest in the Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon, pointing out, “We are expecting more than 14,000 participants from 85 countries this year, reflecting the event's growing international appeal.”
Daltas, in addition, talks about how the Marathon has developed since its 2017 debut and explains why accessibility and sustainability remain central to its philosophy.
The Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon is about to take place. What do you consider to be some of the special qualities of this year’s event? Will it be accompanied by any parallel special events?
This year's Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon, our ninth edition, marks an exciting new chapter for the event. The biggest change is our redesigned marathon course, which is the flattest and fastest in Cyprus, offering excellent conditions for runners aiming to achieve a personal best.
The new route follows a greater stretch of Larnaka's coastline, allowing runners to experience even more of the city's beautiful seafront. It also connects the Radisson Blu Hotel with the Radisson Beach Resort, reflecting the evolution of our partnership with Radisson Hotels and the event's new identity.
Beyond the racing experience, we are preparing several activities to make this a memorable weekend for participants and visitors alike. Today, Friday, 13 November, we will welcome the Flame of the Authentic Marathon of Athens, followed by a torch relay and a special ceremony at Finikoudes. We are also planning a Marathon Recovery Brunch at Waves, at the Radisson Beach Resort, where runners will have the opportunity to relax and celebrate their achievements after the event.
We are particularly pleased to welcome Olympic champion Lefteris Petrounias and wheelchair fencing champion Kelly Loufaki, who joins us as our VIP Athlete Ambassador.
Accessibility and sustainability remain central to our philosophy. This year, we are especially proud to welcome Stoiximan Wheels of Change to the Marathon for the first time. Supported by Stoiximan, a longstanding partner of our event, Wheels of Change is an inclusive running initiative that brings together primarily people with disabilities and their companions, promoting equal opportunities to participate in sport.
The team is joining the event in collaboration with Ablebook and the IPARXO Education and Rehabilitation Centre, with participants taking part in the 5 km Corporate Race, while team members will also tackle the full marathon distance. Their presence reflects our commitment to creating a sporting event where more people can participate.
On the sustainability front, our Green Strides programme, supported by Bioland Energy Group, continues to introduce practical initiatives to reduce the event's environmental footprint and encourage more responsible participation.
The Marathon has become increasingly popular over the years. Approximately how many participants are you expecting this year? Can you reveal how many of these will be coming to Cyprus from overseas, especially?
We are expecting more than 14,000 participants from 85 countries this year, reflecting the event's growing international appeal.
International participation is an important part of our development. Last year, approximately 3,000 runners travelled to Cyprus from overseas, and we are expecting another strong international presence on Sunday.
We also recognise that many of these runners travel with their families and friends, which means the event attracts significantly more visitors than the number of international runners alone.
Our objective is to continue developing the Marathon in a sustainable way, ensuring that the quality of the experience and the infrastructure supporting our participants keep pace with its growth.
How important do you believe events such as the Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon are for Cyprus in terms of bringing new visitors to the island as well as in terms of financial benefits for the city and for the island as a whole?
Sporting events have enormous potential to support tourism and economic activity in Cyprus, particularly outside the traditional summer season.
The Radisson Hotels Larnaka Marathon takes place in November, when additional visitor arrivals can make a meaningful difference to local businesses. International runners frequently travel with family members or friends, creating demand for hotel accommodation, restaurants, transport, retail and other services.
Larnaka has a particular advantage as a destination for running events. The starting line is approximately ten minutes from Larnaka International Airport, making the event extremely accessible for overseas visitors. Its central location also makes it convenient for runners travelling from other parts of the island.
Another important factor is the experience the city offers. Participants finish their race at Finikoudes, right by the sea, surrounded by cafés, restaurants and places to explore. For many, the Marathon becomes an opportunity to combine sport with a short holiday in Cyprus.
I believe the benefits extend well beyond the event weekend. Every international runner who enjoys their experience has the potential to return as a visitor and recommend Larnaka to others.
Since the first edition in 2017, our ambition has been to establish the Marathon as an internationally recognised event that contributes to Larnaka's development. As the event continues to grow, so does its potential to generate economic activity, strengthen the city's international profile and promote Cyprus as a year-round sports tourism destination.
As its Founder, is there something about the Marathon that you are especially proud of?
What makes me particularly proud, looking back at our journey since 2017, is how the Marathon has become an event that brings the entire city together.
Our theme this year, "The route that brings us together", reflects exactly that. Every runner comes to the starting line with a different goal. Some are chasing a personal best, others are running their first race, while many are simply there to enjoy the experience with friends, colleagues, or family.
Together with the volunteers, spectators and people cheering along the course, they create an atmosphere that makes this day special for Larnaka.
I would like to thank the Municipality of Larnaka, Radisson Hotels, our sponsors, partners, volunteers and everyone who has supported the event over the years.
We look forward to welcoming everyone on 15 November for another great celebration of running in Larnaka.
