Participation of the Agricultural University of Athens in the mountain running races “KARPENISSI TRAIL 2025” with the “AUA RUNNING TEAM”

On the weekend of October 4–5, 2025, students and staff members of the Agricultural University of Athens from the Departments in Athens and the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management in Karpenissi participated with the “AUA RUNNING TEAM” in the mountain running races “Karpenissi Trail 2025,” held in the village of Megalo Chorio, Municipality of Karpenissi.

On the occasion of their participation in “Karpenissi Trail 2025,” the Departments of the Agricultural University of Athens (in Athens and Karpenissi) collaborated in an initiative that combined sports, academic outreach, and inter-university interaction.

Students from different Departments had the opportunity to meet each other, exchange experiences and knowledge, interact in an environment of outstanding natural beauty, and create meaningful bonds and lasting memories.

The participants’ experience exceeded expectations, combining physical activity with university cooperation and human connection. Exercising in nature, participating in a race with strong elements of adventure and teamwork, as well as the warm welcome from the staff and students of the Karpenissi Department, the Organizing Committee of the races, and the Municipality of Karpenissi, all contributed to strengthening the spirit of unity and collaboration among the Departments of the Academic Community of the Agricultural University of Athens.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the hospitality to the President of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Professor Andreas Papadopoulos; the former President, Professor Spyros Kaloudis; Assistant Professor Stavroula Galanopoulou, for coordinating the accommodation and meals of our team at the University Student Restaurant, the President of the Student Association of the Department of Forestry, Mr. Ilias Blanis, for coordinating the Department’s participants; as well as Mrs. Christina Sveroni–Liapi, Deputy Mayor of Social Policy, Solidarity, Welfare, Volunteering, Equality, and Education of the Municipality of Karpenissi, who ensured our free accommodation at the Karpenissi Student Residence. All the above made our stay in Karpenissi truly unforgettable.

Professors from both University Departments also supported and enhanced the initiative by participating in the races themselves. From Karpenissi, the President of the Department, Professor Andreas Papadopoulos, and Assistant Professor Palaiologos Palaiologou, and from Athens, Professor Dionysis Kalyvas, President of the AUA Faculty Association and founding member of the “AUA RUNNING TEAM,” all ran the spectacular mountain trail on Mount Kaliakouda — one of the three iconic mountains of Evrytania, covered in fir forests and surrounded by picturesque mountain villages (offered routes: GAVROS TRAIL 6km, LAKOMATA TRAIL 13km, and KALIAKOUDA TRAIL 26km).

Special thanks are also extended to the Organizing Committee of “KARPENISSI TRAIL 2025,” and in particular to Mr. Ilias Apostolou. His warm welcome to our Team, his support in facilitating all procedures related to our participation, his provision of free meals for our students, the discount on the participation fee for all our runners, and his willingness to assist with every aspect of our stay were all deeply appreciated. His contribution inspired all participants to look forward to taking part again in “KARPENISSI TRAIL 2026.”

This collaborative initiative between University Departments represents just one example of the potential of inter-university cooperation, offering multiple benefits to the academic community and to students’ personal development. We hope that such collaborations will continue and expand through new joint actions, initiatives, and opportunities for connection and growth.

A notable distinction in the mountain races was achieved by Stamatina Sideri, a student of the Department of Biotechnology, who placed 3rd overall (and 2nd in her age category) in the GAVROS TRAIL 6km event — a result that filled all participants with joy and pride.

The overall coordination of the University’s participation in the races was undertaken and implemented by the Physical Education Professors of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mrs Polyxeni Tsaliagkou and Mrs Georgia Athanasopoulou.

You can view photos from our participation here:

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/2UWrHMvDrPr24V1q9