The veteran Yanaki Yalamov (84 years old) swam the Galata – Varna marathon an impressive 54 times. He last took part in the event in 2017, but he is at the Sea Station every summer to encourage the participants and wish them success.
In 1960 he has swam Galata – Varna for the first time. “I was 24. The points of the marathon were Galata – Central Sea Beach. For about 7-8 years the final was on this beach, then on Buna 1, and then on Buna 2. The organizer of the marathon at that time was the Voluntary Defence Assistance Organisation – (DOSO). In the beginning, about 40-50 people swam, “said the veteran.
When asked what motivates him to swim Galata – Varna for so long, he answered that he participates out of love for swimming: “You know, appetite comes with eating, when you start, you are attracted to it…”.
He is positive that human capabilities have a limit: “There comes a time when you have to say stop. I can probably swim the marathon, but I decided that I would not participate anymore. My last participation was in 2017. ”
One of the most vivid memories of his participation is with the legend Alexi Alexiev – the Pope. “My participation in the marathon was not always at the perfect weather conditions. There were years with quite harsh weather. In one of them we were together with Alexi Alexiev. A piercing wind was blowing, the water was 18-19 degrees Celsius, but we swam without worrying. When you are well prepared and trained, you have no worries. Training is a very important thing. I can participate in the marathon even now, but it takes at least a year of preparation,” concludes Yalamov.
