The OPAP Limassol Marathon has grown into Cyprus' most significant sporting event, captivating thousands of participants and spectators each year and rapidly becoming one of Southeastern Europe's most vibrant running festivals. From humble beginnings, it now expects to welcome around 3,000 international runners in 2025—a remarkable milestone. Beyond attracting athletes, the marathon has profoundly impacted Limassol's economy and tourism, positioning the city as an attractive year-round destination.

Andreas Spyrou, Business Development Director, discusses the marathon’s evolution, the meticulous planning that ensures runner safety and satisfaction, its role in extending Limassol's tourism season, and how fostering community spirit and charitable engagement lies at the heart of the event’s continued success.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon is Cyprus’ largest sporting event, leading the way in both technical excellence and attendance for years. More than just a race, it’s evolving into one of Europe’s most recognizable and loved running festivals.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to continuous improvement. Each year, we enhance the runner experience based on direct feedback from our participants. For 2025, runners can expect a flawless race experience, with fully stocked stations along the route, top-tier health and safety standards, an interactive mobile app, complimentary race photos, and vibrant cheering points. Every edition builds on the last, ensuring an event that’s not just well-organized but truly unforgettable.

Every year brings a sense of pride as the OPAP Limassol Marathon continues to evolve and improve. Seeing the event grow and adapt each year is a reward in itself.

However, if I had to highlight one moment, it would be the remarkable response of our health and safety team during a critical incident when a runner suffered a heart attack. Their swift and professional actions saved his life, showing that our efforts are not just about attendance numbers or marketing success. It was a powerful reminder that what truly matters is maintaining strong technical and operational standards to ensure the safety and well-being of every runner.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon is, by nature, a tourism-driven event. As organizers with a strong background in tourism, we naturally see it as more than just a race—it’s a platform that showcases Cyprus and Limassol to the world.

We’re proud to represent our city on the international stage, gaining exposure in key markets such as Greece, Israel, Poland, the UK, Germany, and France. One of our primary goals is to keep growing our international participation, and this year, we expect to welcome 3,000 international runners—a huge milestone considering we started with none!

Beyond the numbers, the increasing international presence has allowed us to play a key role in extending Limassol’s tourism season, bringing visitors to the city at a time when tourism traditionally slows down. It’s an impact that goes beyond race day, benefiting the local economy and positioning Limassol as a year-round destination.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon brings significant economic benefits to the city, both in the short term and in the long run.

During marathon weekend, commercial activity surges, with cafés, restaurants, and shops seeing increased business—not just from runners but also from spectators and visitors from across Cyprus. The impact is even greater with our international participants, who tend to spend more on hotels, dining, and local experiences, further boosting the city’s economy.

Beyond direct spending, the most valuable impact is the branding of Limassol as a premier international destination for a top-tier running event. Through our global exposure, we enhance the recognizability of the city, reinforcing its reputation as a hub for major events.

Moreover, the marathon works in synergy with other key events of Limassol. Together, these events create a branding multiplier effect, positioning Limassol as a dynamic, year-round destination for sports, culture, and entertainment.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon isn’t just for elite athletes—it’s a celebration of running for everyone, with strong community engagement at its core.

One of the best examples is the PrimeTel 5KM Corporate Race, the most successful race of the event. With around 300 teams and an expected 15,000 runners, it has become a rite of passage in Cyprus—almost everyone takes part at least once in their life. More than just a fun or team-building experience, it serves as a gateway into the running world, inspiring many to progress to 5K, 10K, Half Marathons, and even full Marathons.

The same "portal effect" applies to the Dashin Foundation Youth Race, where young runners experience the excitement of race day just like marathoners. They receive a bib number, a medal, and a race pack, giving them a real sense of achievement and encouraging a lifelong connection to the sport.

Another key aspect of our community engagement is volunteerism, which plays a critical role in the organization of the event. Over the years, our volunteers have become more than just event staff—they have grown into a community within the community, embodying the spirit of the OPAP Limassol Marathon and contributing to its success in ways that go far beyond race day.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon serves as a platform for social activism, with one of its most impactful contributions being fundraising for charitable causes.

Unlike traditional charity events, we don’t collect donations directly. Instead, we act as a facilitator, enabling teams and individuals to raise funds through their participation. This is done in collaboration with a specialized international partner who ensures a seamless and transparent fundraising process.

Our vision is to make fundraising an integral part of the OPAP Limassol Marathon experience, inspiring more participants to run not just for themselves, but for causes they believe in.

Our long-term vision for the OPAP Limassol Marathon is to continue its transformation into a truly international running fiesta, attracting even more participants from around the world.

Additionally, we aspire to make the OPAP Limassol Marathon the largest fundraising platform in Cyprus, integrating charity at the core of the event and encouraging participants to run for causes they believe in. By combining international growth, local engagement, and a strong charitable mission, we aim to create a marathon that leaves a lasting impact on both the running community and society as a whole.

What: OPAP Limassol Marathon

When: 22-23 March 2025

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