FORWARDED TO THE WEBMASTER - May be of interest to some of you?

We return to Paphos for the 5th annual 4-Day Challenge - it's a great location offering an excellent mixture of traditional road running and spectacular trail running and has quickly been recognised as not just the toughest of challenges but also the best organised.

We're pleased again to be working closely with the British Olympic Associations official representatives in Cyprus - Arena Travel, one of the leading companies in Cyprus with an in-depth knowledge of the Paphos and Akamas wilderness area. Arena will be coordinating the entire background infrastructure and will work closely with 2:09 Events Director, Mike Gratton who is the race director.

Our packages are based on flights with sponsoring airline Cyprus Airways with arrivals as follows - all packages are for 7 nights:

Nov 23 - London Heathrow (rtn 30 Nov)

Nov 24 - Stansted (rtn 1 Dec)

Nov 25 - Manchester (rtn 2 Dec)

It is possible to book flights with BA on request. You can book your own EasyJet flights and we will apply a £200 discount to your package price.

Paphos Airport to hotel transfers are only offered on these dates.

The races

Thursday 26th November to Sunday 29 November

This 4-day Challenge will consist of a mix of different types of racing:

NOVEMBER 26 - CORAL BEACH 6K TIME TRIAL | Start @ 15:00

The Time Trial starts on Thursday afternoon in front of the pretty Coral Beach Hotel & Resort harbor and then runs around to the front of the hotel before heading off along roads fringed with banana plantations until you reach the Sea Caves inlet. It is a flat route, but as each runner starts 10sec apart in a random order the skill is pace judgment. Ample quantities of water will be available at the start and water/fruit/wet sponges/raisins to cool you down & energise you at the finish.

NOVEMBER 27 - AKAMAS 11K HILL RUN | Start @ 09:30

The Hill Run race starts at sea level, just after the white river in the AKAMAS nature reserve park. After about 800k, we turn right on the road to the Avakas Gorge and continue climbing to over 300m by the 5th kilometre, on the route parallel to the gorge. The climb continues with a sharp descent by the 6th kilometre and dramatic changes in scenery as the forested area gives its place to a moonscape like valley before you start climbing again. The next 2 kilometres are equally tough as you have to gain another 200m in altitude, but If you have the nerve to look back the stunning views, along with the evident altitude gain will "boost" you for the last 3 kilometres through vineyards to the finish at Pano Arodes village, right by the beautiful village square and church. 2 refreshing stations are planned, at around 5K-water/wet sponges and between 7&8K-water/fruit/wet sponges. Ample quantities of water will also be available at the start with water/fruit/wet sponges/raisins to cool you down & energise you at the finish.

NOVEMBER 28 - AKAMAS MULTITERRAIN ½ MARATHON | Start @ 09:30

The Multiterrain ½ Marathon starts at the Smigies forest after Neo Chorio village towards AKAMAS at an altitude of 274m. From here there is a steady climb up through the AKAMAS Forest until it thins out and becomes a winding trail through the heart of the AKAMAS. For much of the way you have views of the sea both north and south of the areas, while ahead you will be heading towards the local radio mast, where you are almost half way through!!! and at the highest point, just over 600m. You then take a right turn and a steep but steady descend starts, with some spectacular panoramic views of the area. The finish is at Toxeftra Beach, where if you are brave enough, you can cool off in the sea!!! 4 refreshing stations are planned, at around 5K-water/wet sponges, at around 10K-water/fruit/wet sponges, between 15&16K-water/wet sponges and at around 19K-water/wet sponges. Ample quantities of water/ fruit will also be available at the start with water/fruit/wet sponges/raisins to cool you down & energise you at the finish.