Day 211 – EU – Greece/Bulgaria [Rodopoli to Kulata]

20/09/20

29.7km

  From Rodopoli (Greece) to Kulata (Bulgaria)

Europe

A run shortened by a strict interdiction, a last helping hand from my Greek running buddies and crossing into Bulgaria

During yesterday’s run, we discussed my itinerary for crossing into Bulgaria. My running mates were quite unsure that I would be allowed on the road at all. The running club of Kilkis has a few members who are also Policemen, including the commander of the regional police force. When my mates called him to ask him about my running on the Motorway on the section of the road leading to the border, the answer came back: if the Police spotted me there, they would have to take me for a night in jail. This fact was confirmed by a member of the Sidirokastro Running club, a traffic police officer, who was adamant this would be the only possible outcome.

It was a tough call for me to make. On one hand, there is only one road that leads to the border, and it being Sunday morning, it was unlikely to be crowded. On the other hand, it being a border crossing road, I was more likely than anywhere else to meet traffic police patrols on the way. On top of that was also the safety factor of running on the side of the motorway where cars drive at speed.

I made the decision in the morning and elected to run as close I could to the forbidden section – take a ride – and resume as soon as I can, before or after the border. Two runners of the Sidirokastro running club would be waiting for me with their car at the entrance of the Motorway. Again, what an amazing support network…!

The 27km road leading to the Motorway was really beautiful. The Kerkini Lake on my right side, nudged between two mountain ranges. And the Radomir mountain on my left. I passed by a few villages, and as the tradition has it in Greece on Sundays, this was accompanied by the chimes of churches’ bells and the chants of the popes.

As I approached the Motorway I spotted Fany and Pepi, the two runners from the local club. They cheered me up and gifted me the t-shirt of their club as well as a “good-luck” bracelet. We drove on the motorway, which was incredibly quiet. I still was not sure if I should have taken the risk or not. As we got to the toll station, we parked the car and the girls ran with me the 2km to the Border Checkpoint.

I have now made it to the 11th country of the World Run, Bulgaria. A new chapter is starting: Central Europe in Autumn/ Winter. Looking forward to running through all the beautiful cities!

PS: I also include, on the second map, the 10km segment of road which I did NOT run.

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: