A storm and a landslide forced organizers to halt the 102-kilometer Oiti Ultra Trail race late on Saturday night, triggering an operation to safely bring runners down from the mountain.
The race began with 126 runners at the starting line, but a strong storm that struck the area on Saturday damaged mountain roads and footpaths. A landslide at one point along the route made it difficult, and in places impossible, for support vehicles, supply vehicles and volunteers to get through.
Eight runners rescued from mountain huts
According to the website Lamianow.gr, a particular mobilization was launched for eight runners who took shelter in two huts in the Mavrotsoumaro area of the mountain. Fire Department units from the Fokida region were sent to the scene to help move them to a safe location, since the conditions on the mountain made it difficult for them to move on their own.
Reports said one of the eight runners had to call the 112 emergency number before being located a short time later.
All eight athletes are in good health and are now in a safe location. Organizers described the operation as purely preventive, given the difficulty of access and the conditions on the mountain.
Evacuation continues as race format changes
Rural vehicles drove up the mountain to bring down the remaining athletes as well as staff who had been working at the race's supply stations. The road was expected to be cleared of debris on Sunday morning so that vehicles belonging to supply-station staff, currently stuck at the site, could also be freed.
Race organizers said participants would instead continue in the shorter "Elevoros" race, a 16-kilometer event, while the process of safely bringing down everyone still on the mountain remained ongoing.
Mount Oiti is a national park in central Greece, near the city of Lamia, known for its hiking trails and mountain running events, of which the Oiti Ultra Trail is one of the region's main annual races.
