Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus and Corsica. It bounds the southern border of the Aegean Sea. Sfakia Vertical Runs: The ARKALOS Sports Club, under the auspices of the Municipality of Sfakia, organizes the vertical ascension of Sfakia Vertical Run from Loutro to Anopolis Sfakion. It is an explosion, strength and endurance race, as it gains 690 meters of positive altitude in just 4.5 kilometers. This year the organisation is planning a new long run, the longest in Greece actually from Loutro village to the peak of Lefka Ori (White Mountains), the highest peak of Crete with an altitude of 2454m. The gathering of the athletes is at the port of Sfakia. The athletes will board the boat for Loutro to depart. The start of the race will be given through the boat to Loutro, with the opening of the ship’s catapult, in rows. Then the athletes will cross the Loutro beach front and will ascend the rocky path to the church of Agia Ekaterini at an altitude of 687 meters. There, athletes, for being valid, should strike the bell of the church and then continue downhill to the finish that will take place in Anopolis square. The long run will follow the same route but will continue to the peak of Lefka Ori. Date of Race: 30-31 October Participations: 2 Races, 250 participants in the short run and 100 at the long run