On October 15th, 2023, Leo took on our seventh Adventure For A Cause, a collaboration with Navarino Challenge, a 42km Marathon running event along scenic coastal paths from Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese region of Greece. This challenge aimed to bring together a group of like-minded adventure seekers who wanted to be part of our cause and our our impact initiatives on the ground in Uganda. In addition to the registration fees, a portion of which were also donated, participants set their own fundraising goal or the amount they wished to donate.
This challenge raised money to improve school sanitation facilities in Uganda. Out of the total 16 schools located around the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BNIP), which is home to the mountain gorilla habitats, only three met the hygiene standards for children and teachers and all the remaining 13 schools required significant financial and humanitarian assistance to meet basic standards of health sanitation, and provide clean and safe bathroom facilities.
For the first time in the event’s history, the Navarino Challenge Marathon by That Gorilla Brand was held, with participants having the opportunity to cross the beach of Voidokilia. At the same time, the participants in the Navarino Challenge Half Marathon by That Gorilla Brand also had the chance to cross the most famous beach of Messinia and one of the most beautiful in the world.
With its unique shape outlining the Greek letter omega (Ω), Voidokilia was the ideal destination for anyone who wanted to test their strength in running. The peculiar name of this enchanting location, Voidokoilia (lit. ‘ox-belly’), can be traced back to an ancient myth about Hermes, who stole the oxen of his brother, Apollo, and hid them in a cave above the beach. Feeling remorse, Hermes gave Apollo a lyre made from a sea turtle’s shell, which lays its eggs in the bay to this day.
The event offered participants the opportunity to run the 42km Marathon and the top Greek Half-Marathon of 21.1km, together with the Greek-American ambassador of Greek Tourism, the ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes. These are the only trail running races that combine sand, soil, and asphalt.
At the same time, participants could also run the magnificent 10km route next to the sea, or the 5km route, among centuries-old olive trees. On the same day, a 1km route was held for young people 9 to 14 years old and a 1km route for children up to 8 years old.
All proceeds from the Marathon race, as well as 50% of proceeds from all other running routes were donated to our Adventures For A Cause initiative #2.
