In this episode

Iordanis Papadopoulos, based in Katerini, discusses the first Almiraman in 2014, an idea from his then ten-year-old son building on international-event experience since 2004, and its rebranding as TRIMAN.

The conversation centres on building an event: volunteers, schools, the national middle-distance championship, Super Speed Battle, full distance in October and human relationships harder than paperwork. Its value is reflected primarily in the people supporting it and the relationships around it.

Detailed show notes

2014, Almyra and TRIMAN

He is not from Katerini; he chose it at 23. He describes himself as a lifelong athlete: swimming, water polo, many years of MTB and triathlon from 2010. He has officially organised events since 2004–2006, beginning with international mountain-bike races. In 2014, his son suggested triathlon. The first year was informal, with 1.5 km swimming, 60 cycling and 15 running, and around 120 people including the speedy event. From year two, the second Sunday in May became the fixed date.

Almyra is a place name. It caused confusion with a Dutch triathlon and a local beach bar. He explains TRIMAN as the first syllable of “triathlon” plus “man” from “human”. Extra activities arrived in 2016; by 2017–2018, the three-day programme was full. He mentions a socioeconomic impact study with the University of Macedonia from 2016.

People, not just kilometres

From approximately 100 entries in 2014 to 1,200 in 2025 across May and October by his count, excluding the mountain “6”. May exceeds a thousand over three days. Bulgarian athletes came from year two; for 2025, he mentions 20 countries and an Indian athlete requiring a visa. Middle distance is capped around 300 for management rather than space. The national 70.3 championship runs in cooperation with the federation. Volunteers and local shopkeepers receive athletes’ first thanks at the finish. From Wednesday to Friday, he brings schools in for games and road behaviour with helmets.

Super Speed Battle and full distance

Olympus X takes place in late August, followed the next day by Super Speed Battle in Platamonas: a short triathlon, two qualifying heats and a final for fifteen from each. It also happened informally during the pandemic so training kilometres would not go to waste. Full distance is in October rather than May because of traffic, accommodation and tourism. He links May’s prize money to attracting a higher standard.

What athletes do not see

He calls human relationships and a legal framework changing almost annually the hardest parts. TRIMAN is not his livelihood. He sees more triathletes overall than in 2012–2014, but fewer staying involved each season. He mentions academies in Thessaloniki, while his area still lacks an official academy because of facilities. Events must live primarily from athletes, not only sponsors. A stable calendar date matters as much as the course.

Key takeaways

  • An established event begins among friends and endures when the local community sees it as its own.
  • The second Sunday in May and an early announcement are part of quality, not an administrative detail.
  • Volunteers, schools and helmet use in town contribute to impact as much as finish times.
  • Sponsors support the event; Iordanis says the purpose is lost if they come before athletes.