Stage 5
The Sacred River

About This Stage

Stage 5 is an extraordinary 31 km journey from Andritsaina to Platania, where ancient history, mythology and some of the wildest landscapes of the Peloponnese come together in one unforgettable day.

Leaving the mountains and fir forests of Arcadia behind, runners emerge into a remote, open landscape before suddenly encountering an astonishing sight: the Temple of Apollo Epicurius, standing in magnificent isolation among the mountains for almost 2,450 years.

Built around 420-400 BC, it is one of the best-preserved temples of Classical Greece and, in 1986, became the first site in Greece to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, the temple stands beneath a protective shelter designed to preserve its ancient stone from the extreme mountain climate.

A special checkpoint will be located beside the sanctuary. Here, race time will be paused for 15 minutes, allowing every runner who wishes to enter and experience this extraordinary monument, with admission provided by Mythical Odyssey. For a few precious minutes, forget the race, forget the clock and simply stand before a masterpiece that has survived for nearly two and a half millennia.

Then the journey changes again.

After crossing remote and exposed countryside, the trail finally descends towards the cool waters of the Neda River, traditionally described as the only river in Greece with a feminine name. According to Arcadian mythology, it was named after the nymph Neda, one of the nymphs entrusted with protecting and caring for the infant Zeus.

Deep inside the gorge, waterfalls tumble into spectacular natural pools of crystal-clear water, surrounded by lush vegetation and plane trees. Here, runners will have the opportunity to plunge into the refreshing waters of the Neda, a moment to cool tired legs, recover and simply absorb the magic of this hidden natural paradise.

Rejuvenated by the river, one final climb leads towards Platania and the finish line, where a traditional local restaurant awaits with a generous selection of regional dishes.

From a 2,450-year-old sanctuary of Apollo, through remote mountain wilderness, to the mythical waters and waterfalls of Neda, Stage 5 is not simply a race. It is a journey through history, mythology and natural wonder.

Distance & Elevation