Photo Credit: Glen Bowman – flickr.com

The enticing Mediterranean island of Cyprus serves as the setting for one of the most scenic events in the adventure sport calendar: the Cyprus International 4-Day Challenge. The race runs from November 22-25, combining traditional road running with more rugged trail running through Akamas National Park in the island’s southwest region.

The Challenge’s overall winner is the runner with the best combined time from the four events that take place over the course of the three days: the Coral Beach 6K, the Akamas 11K Hill run, the Akamas Multiterrain 1/2 marathon and the 10K Paphos City Run. The total distance is just longer than a marathon.

The 10k Paphos City Run is also open to locals and family and friends who have traveled with the Challenge competitors but do not want to run the entire event.

According to the organizers, every turn in the race comes with a different stunning view. The island provides “layer upon layer of discovery”, they say. It doesn’t hurt that Cyprus is almost always bathed in light, with over 300 sunny days a year.

What more incentive do you need to race round an island identified with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty?

Cover Photo Credit: Glen Bowman – flickr.com