10th Volos Half Marathon 2026: Race and Region Guide
The 10th Volos Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Volos, featuring a flat coastal 21.1 km course along the Pagasetic Gulf. Besides the main race, the program includes a 5K City Race, 2K Family Run, and 500m Kids Run.
The Course and Characteristics
The course starts from the Volos waterfront and follows the Pagasetic Gulf coastline, offering continuous sea views with Mount Pelion rising in the background. The route is flat, without significant elevation changes, and finishes at the same point as the start.
Practical Information:
- Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026 (500m & 2km: Saturday, March 28)
- Distances: 21.1 km (Half Marathon), 5 km, 2 km, 500m
- Course: Coastal, flat
- March Temperatures: 12-18°C (54-64°F)
- Start Times: Half Marathon 09:30, 5km 09:45, 2km 18:15 (Saturday), 500m 17:30 (Saturday)
The coastal location means potential wind exposure and sun with water reflection. Bring sunscreen and a cap or visor even in late March.
Tourist Attractions for Runners
Volos and the wider Pelion region offer many options for race weekend:
The Kordoni and Waterfront
Kordoni is Volos's distinctive 1-kilometer jetty extending into the Pagasetic Gulf. Many runners use it for warm-up on race morning. The waterfront is filled with cafes and tsipouradika—traditional tavernas where tsipouro is served with endless meze plates.
Pelion Railway (Moutzouris)
The Volos-Milies railway was built between 1894-1903 and reopened in 1996. The train departs at 10:00 from Ano Lechonia and 15:00 from Milies, with an intermediate stop in Ano Gatzea. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes and crosses scenic landscapes with forests and stone bridges. Ideal for Saturday afternoon after race bib pickup.
Pelion Villages
The traditional Pelion villages are 15-30 minutes by car from Volos:
Portaria: The closest village (15-20 minutes), with traditional architecture and the starting point of the Centaur's Path—a gentle trail taking about 40 minutes, ideal for a recovery hike on Monday.
Makrinitsa: The "Balcony of Pelion," built amphitheatrically with panoramic views of Volos and the gulf. Houses the Pelion Folk Art Museum in the Topali Mansion (1844).
Pinakates: Village 25 km east, with a 500-year-old plane tree in the main square and traditional coffee houses. Less touristy than Makrinitsa.
Volos Museums
Archaeological Museum: Neoclassical building from 1909 with finds from ancient Demetrias and Neolithic Sesklo. About 30 minutes walk from the waterfront.
Natural History Museum: Mikrasiatοn Street 1, with fossils, rocks and minerals from Thessaly.
Railway Museum of Thessaly: On the upper floor of the station, with railway artifacts and documentation.
Sporades Islands - Island Excursions
Daily ferries depart from Volos port to Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos. Companies SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, and Anes Ferries serve these routes. If you have extra days, you can extend your trip with an island getaway.
Other Attractions
Neolithic Settlement of Sesklo: 15 km west of Volos, one of the oldest settlements in Europe (6850-6300 BC).
Kontou Mansion (Anakasia): Houses frescoes by folk painter Theophilos Hatzimihail.
How to Get There
By Car: 330 km from Athens (3.5 hours) via E75
By Bus: KTEL from Athens (4 hours), Thessaloniki (2.5 hours)
By Train: TrainOSE (check schedules)
In Town: Volos is walkable. For Pelion villages you need a car or taxi.
Accommodation
Book early as March is popular. Options:
- Waterfront Hotels: Close to race start/finish
- Ano Volos: Quieter area with character
- Pelion Villages: Portaria/Makrinitsa (car needed)
Suggested Weekend Program
Friday: Arrival, walk on Kordoni, light dinner
Saturday: Museum in the morning, race bib pickup, Pelion train or village visit, early sleep
Sunday: Race, afternoon tsipouro with meze on the waterfront
Monday: Centaur's Path (Portaria) or Pinakates, or ferry to Sporades
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