«ROAD OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE MASSACRES OF CHIOS 1822 - 2022 (TORCH RELAY)»

The three-day commemorative events for the 200 years since the massacres of Chios were filled with emotions. Honoring the tragic milestone in the history of our island, 150 runners and cyclists, including the legendary ultramarathon runner and world record holder with 160 records, Giannis Kouros, the Greek marathon champions Nikos Polias, Christoforos Merousis, Dimitris Theodorakakos, and Sofia Riga, the world champions and Olympic medalists in water polo Giannis Fountoulis and Maria Tsouri, the Paralympians Kelly Loufaki and Pantelis Kalogeros, as well as hundreds of ordinary citizens of all ages, ran through the martyred sites of the Chios massacres, covering a distance of 400 km, passing through all the villages of the island and lighting the flame at the altars of the heroes.

The events took place from September 23rd to September 25th, 2022, commemorating the 200 years since the massacres of Chios, in all the villages and the martyrdom sites, with the aim of awakening collective consciousness, paying tribute to our sealed ancestors, and offering peace to their souls. The participation of the people was universal, and the emotions were intense. In every village, in every corner of Chios, in every place of martyrdom, some ran while others applauded; everyone was there. The elderly were moved, while the smiles of the young children gave a note of optimism for the future.

The flame started from the monument of our hero Konstantinos Kanaris and was passed throughout the island, carrying the message: "No nation should experience what Chios endured 200 years ago."

Alongside the torch relay, demonstrations of Olympic sports were organized by the Hellenic Olympic Academy and the coaches Panagiotis Angelopoulos and Ioannis Alikakos, as well as speeches by our distinguished champions for the students. Speeches on the massacres of Chios were also given by Vassilios Voksakis, professor of Theology at the Monastery of Agios Minas, Dr. Konstantinos Frangomichalos, author and professor of Philosophy, Philology, and Theology in the village of Melanios, Athena Zacharou-Loutrari, author and historian, and Konstantinos Karatzas, professor of Theology and History, at the Nikolaos Plastiras Square (Vounaki).

The Chios Health Athletes Association - Chiorunning warmly thanks all the participants for their selfless and deeply moving participation, as well as for the unique and indescribable moments we experienced together in the "Road of Remembrance for the Massacres of Chios."

Warm thanks especially go to our sponsors and supporters, without whose contribution the events could not have been realized:

Institutional Bodies:

Municipality of Chios/Committee 2022,
Municipal Enterprise of Chios,
Metropolis of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses,
North Aegean Region,

Major Sponsors:

Charitable Foundation "Maria Tsakos",
Microanalysis Medical Athens SA,
Hellenic Olympic Academy,

Chios Tourism Organization Specifically the businesses that provided the meals for our distinguished guests:

"Vradypous" in Chios,
"Passas" in Lagada,
"Agerino" in Fyta,
"Volcano" in Emporios,
"Kardamo" in Chios,
"Makellos" in Pityous,
"Agia Markella" in Volissos,
"Asteri" in Avgonima,
Hellenic Seaways - Blue Star Ferries,
EPSILON Café-bar,
Smart Rent a Car,

Sponsors:

Creative Printing House "Typographi",
Signage Saliaris,
Charitable Foundation Konstantinos Tsapalas,
Real Pilates Gym,
Stores Vittakis,
Stavrianos,
Anemos,
Candio Al Porto,
Potopiia Kakitsis,
Zacharoplasteio Melenio,
Zacharoplasteio Afoi Moniodes, T
Traditional Pastries "To Patroparadoto,"
Bundaberg Ginger Beer - Boubbaris N.A. & Co.,

Hospitality Sponsors:

Sun Village,
Chios Tourism Organization,

Supporters:

Hellenic Olympic Academy,
Konstantinos Halioreas,
General Manager of OAKA,
Chios Traffic Department,
Chios Port Authority,
Chios Cyclists,
Primary Education Directorate of Chios,
Secondary Education Directorate of Chios,
Chios Library "Korais,"
Homereio Cultural Center of Chios Municipality,
Greek Red Cross - Chios Regional Division,
Volunteer Team Omicron,
LEFED,
Volunteer Forest Protection Teams of Pyrgi, Mesta, and Lithi,
Theater Group "Kofinaii,"
Chios Philharmonic,
Dance Groups MEOF,
MS "Faros Varvassiou,
LPOCH "Leon Allatios,"
"Giannis Vourous,"
PEKEV,
Chios Equestrian Club,
Scouts of Greece - 2nd Sea Scouts System of Chios,
Pan-Chian Association of People with Disabilities,
Athletic Association of People with Disabilities in Chios "Iones,"
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Chios,
Ark of the World,
MY GYM (Panagiotis Kalamaris),
Cultural Associations/Clubs of Chios.

Media Sponsors:

iRunmag.gr,
RunnerMagazine,
RunningNews.gr - Everything about Running,
RunBeat,
Local Media,
Militaire.gr,
UNESCO Club of Chios, Oinousses, and Psara,
Chiosphotos.gr, Journalists' Union of Magazine and Electronic Press (EDIPET) Macedonia - Thrace,
"Fryktories," TV and Web Channel.

Videography - Photography: