ERASMUS participants Follow the steps of Zeus – “Welcome to Greece…, Welcome to Crete… and its highest mountain Psiloritis, where Zeus was brought up.”
ERASMUS Participants hosted by ECTE in Rethymnon of Crete, are volunteering in 7th International Mountain Psiloritis Race.
Psiloritis Race links the myth with contemporary history as the runners follow the traces of their ancestors on the holy mountain of Zeus Cretagenes.The race trail covers the distance that pilgrims of the sacred city of Minoan Knossos used to walk in order to climb Psiloritis mountain and honor their god, Zeus Cretagenes, who according to Ancient Greek Mythology was brought up in the cave of Ideon Andron, worship center, and sanctum during the Minoan and Roman times.
Mountain IDA used to be a holy mountain in Minoan Crete and many myths were strongly attached to it. In Idaion Antron (a big cave at 1495 m of high, 15min walk from Nida Plateau), Zeus was brought up by Kourites and the nymph Amaltheia.
The idea of a mountain race in Crete, with high international standards, was first born in June 2008 on Mt Olympus. Our love for the mountain Psiloritis where Zeus brought up, the promotion of the natural beauty of the area finally transformed the idea into practice .Having the support of the people who love the island and enjoy running in the mountains, this event is organised by the “Psiloritis race team”. The event is organized with the kind support of the prefecture of Rethymno.
The International Mountain Race “Psiloritis Race” is an athletic meeting that forwards physical activity in touch with the natural environment. The race offers the opportunity to experience the unique and exciting character of the mountain along with the opportunity for the participants to experience a unique vigorous seven-hour race. That is the reason why the athletes who will try out their strength in the PR should practice the philosophy of semi-autonomy, carrying a least a necessary equipment that will provide them with security and sustenance during the race ; while there will be a systematical and in regular intervals supply.
