The memory of NadezhdaParusheva will be honored during the 86th edition of the Galata–Varna Swimming Marathon. She passed away two months before the start of the race, to which she had devoted more than half a century of her life. The traditional open-water swim will take place on July 26, 2026.

The event is organized by Bulgaria’s swimming champion club PSC Cherno More, the Bulgarian Navy, and the Municipality of Varna.

The traditional crossing is open to citizens and visitors 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 that they are capable of swimming independently from Karantinata to Bunite Beach, and sign a personal data consent declaration.

The marathon will start on Sunday, July 26, from the Karantinata area at Cape Galata. All participants must report at 7:00 a.m. to the assembly point at Karantinata Fishing Port in the Asparuhovo district. Each participant will receive a specially branded drawstring bag with an assigned race number, in which personal belongings must be placed. The straight-line distance from Karantinata to Bunite Beach (East) is approximately 4,500 meters.

At 8:30 a.m., registration for participants who have not completed online registration will close. Competitors arriving later will not be allowed to participate.

The distance from Cape Galata to Varna may be swum using any swimming style. The use of aids, fins, outside assistance, or similar support is not permitted.

The marathon will officially start at 9:00 a.m. Competitors must line up in a single row on the shore at Karantinata behind a rope-marked starting line.

The finish line will be located on the northern side of Breakwater 102 (Second Breakwater) on the beach and will be marked by an arch erected onshore.

All swimmers who reach the finish within 100 minutes of the winner’s finishing time will be considered to have successfully completed the course.

The prize fund for the 86th International Galata–Varna Swimming Marathon totals €4,300.

Male and female winners will receive the following cash prizes:

  • 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 prize of €120 is designated for a 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 successfully swim the distance from Karantinata, Cape Galata, to Bunite Beach within the specified time limit will receive breakfast and a beverage, a certificate of successful completion, and a commemorative finisher’s medal.

On the day of the marathon, every registered participant must bring the following documents to the assembly point:

  • Identity card or passport
  • Participant declaration signed personally by the swimmer; for participants under 18 years of age, also signed by a parent or legal guardian
  • Certificate of pre-race medical examination
  • Personal data processing consent declaration

Registration for the Galata–Varna Marathon opens on June 1, 2026, and closes on July 19, 2026.

Participation fees are as follows:

  • €25 for swimmers registered online by June 30
  • €35 for swimmers registered online between July 1 and July 19
  • €50 for participants not registered through the marathon website (cash payments only)

The participation fee includes:

  • Breakfast and water at the finish area
  • A branded bag for storing personal belongings
  • A swimming cap
  • Certificate of successful completion
  • Commemorative finisher’s medal
  • Medical assistance at the start and finish areas

Last summer’s winners were Kalina Nikolaeva (1:07:10) and Daren Kirilov (1:00:00).

For complete information about the marathon, visit: www.varnamaraton.info