A total of 210 swimmers from 10 countries – the United States, the Philippines, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ukraine, Türkiye, Romania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria – will take part in the 86th edition of the Galata–Varna International Swimming Marathon. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Yunashki Salon in Varna. Among those attending were Sofia Koleva, Deputy Mayor of Varna Municipality; Captain (Navy) First Rank Petar Dimitrov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Navy; Vladimir Varbanov, Chairman of Bulgaria’s swimming champion club PSK Cherno More; Vilislav Tzekov, Chief Referee of the marathon; and Captain (Ret.) First Rank Kamen Kukurov, Director of the Marathon. The traditional open-water swim will take place on 26 July 2026 in Varna. The event is organized by PSK Cherno More, the Bulgarian Navy, and Varna Municipality, with Captain (Ret.) First Rank Kamen Kukurov serving as Race Director. The 86th edition of the Galata–Varna Marathon will pay tribute to Nadezhda Parusheva, who passed away two months before this year’s race after dedicating more than half a century of her life to the event. The swimmer with the highest number of marathon participations will receive a commemorative plaque in her memory. The marathon is open to citizens and guests of Varna from Bulgaria and abroad who were born in 2014 or earlier. Participants must undergo a mandatory pre-race medical examination, sign a declaration confirming they are capable of completing the swim independently from Karantinata to Bunite Beach, and sign a personal data consent form. The race will start on Sunday, 26 July, from the Karantinata area at Cape Galata. All participants must report by 7:00 a.m. at the Karantinata Fishing Port in the Asparuhovo district. Each swimmer will receive a branded race bag with an assigned race number, which must be used to store personal belongings. The straight-line distance between Karantinata and Bunite Beach is approximately 4,500 meters. Registration for participants who have not completed online registration will close at 8:30 a.m. Competitors arriving after that time will not be allowed to start. Participants may swim the course using any swimming stroke. The use of flotation devices, fins, outside assistance, or any similar aids is prohibited. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m. Swimmers must line up in a single row behind the starting rope on the shore at Karantinata. The finish line will be located on the north side of Breakwater 102 (Second Breakwater) at Bunite Beach and will be marked by a finish arch on the shore. All swimmers who reach the finish within 100 minutes of the winner’s finishing time will be officially recognized as successful finishers. The total prize fund for the 86th Galata–Varna International Swimming Marathon amounts to €4,300. Prize money for both the men’s and women’s categories is as follows: • 1st place – €600 • 2nd place – €450 • 3rd place – €350 • 4th place – €300 • 5th place – €250 • 6th place – €200 Special prizes will also be awarded to the best-performing male and female swimmers from Varna. A €120 prize will be presented to the best swimmer with a disability. An additional €120 bonus will be awarded to the swimmer with the highest number of successful participations in the marathon. All participants who complete the course within the official time limit will receive breakfast and refreshments, a certificate of successful completion, and a commemorative finisher’s medal. On race day, every registered participant must present: • an identity card or passport; • a signed participation declaration (for participants under 18, also signed by a parent or legal guardian); • a certificate confirming a pre-race medical examination; • a signed consent form for the processing of personal data. Last summer’s winners were Kalina Nikolaeva, who finished in 1:07:10, and Daren Kirilov, who won the men’s race in 1:00:00. “I am delighted that for the 86th time we can proudly host the Galata–Varna Marathon. I hope the weather will be on our side so that we can once again enjoy an event filled with positive energy,” said Sofia Koleva, Deputy Mayor of Varna Municipality. “As a co-organizer, the Bulgarian Navy will once again ensure the swimmers’ safety in open waters by deploying rowing boats, high-speed boats, and patrol craft. Our primary objective is always to guarantee maximum safety for all participants,” emphasized Captain First Rank Petar Dimitrov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Navy. Vladimir Varbanov, Vice Chairman of PSK Cherno More, noted that the club has organized this iconic event for more than fifty years. “Our sincere thanks go to all marathon sponsors, institutions, volunteers, Varna Municipality, and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. I wish every participant, who has prepared with great dedication, a successful finish. May they enjoy swimming in the beautiful Bay of Varna.” Chief Referee Vilislav Tzekov outlined this year’s updates: “Every participant will receive an official race number. The use of wetsuits is prohibited. Only open-water racing swimsuits approved under World Aquatics regulations may be used.” Race Director Captain (Ret.) First Rank Kamen Kukurov added: “I would like to thank Varna City Transport for providing two buses departing from the Cathedral Square to transport participants to Karantinata. A priest will bless the swimmers before the start. Every finisher will receive a medal. The Dobri Dinev Cup will be presented to the men’s winner, while the swimmer with the highest number of marathon participations will receive the commemorative plaque in memory of Nadezhda Parusheva.” More information about the marathon: www.varnamaraton.info
