Important distinction for Cyprus from the ambassador of ETAP Nicosia #visitnicosia
The honorable 12th place was taken by the Cypriot long-distance champion and ambassador of ETAP Nicosia #visitnicosia, Christoforos Protopapas, in the GARDA TRENTINO TRAIL race in the Italian Alps.
Christoforos Protopapas, founder and coach of the CYPRUS ELITE CREW Road Team #teamforis, said after the race: “After 10 months of abstinence from mountain races I found myself again testing my endurance in this event. Incredible beauty, constant changes in the terrain and of course very strong competition… In Italy, the country where mountain running was born, the level is always very high. Even more so in the midst of Covid 19, where every professional athlete enters any match he finds that has not been cancelled”.
The Cypriot athlete referred to the conditions of the race while he did not fail to thank ETAP Nicosia for the support: “28km and +1600m, 2h37′ and 12th place in an exciting race. When I realized that I was out of contention for a podium place, then I just let go of the scenery and my thoughts, and enjoyed the race. My expression says it all. Don’t be confused, it’s not a disappointment. It is the relief that I just managed to finish the longest race in my life and that with the help of @cypruselitecrew I reached the end with comfort and a lot of strength. And of course my best placing in a race in the Alps in the last 3 years. I feel very proud to have the support of ETAP Nicosia #Visit Nicosia”.
It was the first race after his debut in the marathon with a time of 2:28, which is also the best Pan-Cypriot performance in the last 18 years. The participants in the GARDA TRENTINO TRAIL race exceeded 1000 athletes.
ETAP of Nicosia
The Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) of the Nicosia Region is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2007 as part of the strategic planning and plan of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The purpose of ETAP Nicosia is the development and promotion of both the city and the region of Nicosia and their transformation into a quality year-round tourist destination. In order to achieve its actions, ETAP collaborates with various bodies at the local, regional and international level, both in the public and private sectors. Its main pillars of activity are cultural and creative tourism, conference and professional tourism, religious tourism, sports and wellness tourism.