The winners of the 85th edition of the Galata – Varna swimming marathon will share a prize pool of 9,100 BGN. This summer, the traditional open-water swim will take place on Sunday, July 27.
The event is organized by Bulgaria’s swimming champion club PSK “Cherno More,” the Bulgarian Navy, and the Municipality of Varna.
Registration opens on June 15. The participation fee for those who register online at varnamaraton.info by July 21 is 50 BGN (25 EUR), while those registering on-site will pay 70 BGN (35 EUR).
The fee includes:
- Breakfast and water at the finish line
- Participation in the awards ceremony
- Certificate of successful completion and a finisher’s medal
- Medical assistance at the start/finish
- Access to restrooms at the start/finish
- Option to leave personal belongings (excluding valuables) at the start/finish area
The starting point is from the Karantinata area at Cape Galata, and the finish line is at Officer’s Beach – East.
All participants wishing to take part in the marathon must arrive on July 27 at 6:30 AM at the meeting point – the Karantinata fishing port in the Asparuhovo district.
Participants are required to bring suitable bags or backpacks for storing their personal belongings.
The straight-line distance from Cape Galata to Officer’s Beach – East is approximately 4,500 meters.
The swim will officially start at 9:00 AM.
The marathon finish is located on the north side of Breakwater 102 (Second Breakwater) along the beach strip and will be marked by an arch set up on the shore.
Swimmers complete the course individually. Judges in boats will assist by redirecting participants if they significantly deviate from the route.
All swimmers who reach the finish line within 100 minutes of the winner’s time will be officially considered to have completed the swim.
Swimmers who require medical or other assistance, or who wish to withdraw from the race, must signal by repeatedly moving one outstretched arm from side to side.
All participants will be provided with swimming caps.
The winners of the marathon—both male and female—will receive the following cash prizes:
- 1st place – 1,200 BGN
- 2nd place – 900 BGN
- 3rd place – 700 BGN
- 4th place – 600 BGN
- 5th place – 500 BGN
- 6th place – 400 BGN
Special prizes will be awarded to the best-performing participants from Varna—one male and one female.
A 250 BGN prize is designated for a swimmer with disabilities. An additional 250 BGN will be awarded to the participant with the most successful marathon completions, proven with official certificates.
All swimmers who complete the marathon within the designated time will receive a snack and drink, an official certificate of completion, and a finisher’s medal.
Citizens and visitors of Varna, both from Bulgaria and abroad, born in 2013 or earlier, are eligible to participate in the 85th traditional international Galata – Varna swimming marathon.
Participants must:
- Undergo a mandatory medical examination conducted no more than three days prior to the event
- Sign a declaration stating they are capable of swimming independently from Cape Galata to Bunite Beach
- For participants under the age of 18, the declaration must also be signed by a parent or legal guardian
- Sign a data processing consent form
Both declaration forms are available on the marathon’s official website under the “Registration” section.
Swimmers are free to choose their preferred swimming style for the course from Cape Galata to Varna. However, the use of aids such as flotation devices, fins, external assistance, or any similar equipment is strictly prohibited.
