Çanakkale Strait swimming race set for August 30

The 39th edition of the annual Çanakkale Strait Swimming Race, organized by the Çanakkale Rotary Club, will be held on Sunday, August 30.

Pınar Şimşek, President of the Çanakkale Rotary Club, provided details about the event during a press conference held at a hotel in the city, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Şimşek said the Rotary Club views the race as more than just a sporting event. She noted that since organizing it for the first time in 1986-1987, the club has aimed to contribute to Çanakkale’s history, tourism, economy, promotion and social life, while also maintaining its commitment to community service.

She said the race, held in the unique atmosphere of the Çanakkale Strait, has become one of the city’s signature events over the years.

“The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, from Maydos Beach in Eceabat on the European side. The swimmers will cover an approximately five-kilometer course across the Çanakkale Strait and finish at GESTAŞ Pier Square on the Asian side. The time limit for the race is 105 minutes,” Şimşek said.

“This year, 1,535 swimmers will take part. Of these, 1,280 are from Türkiye, while 255 are international athletes representing 23 countries. In this way, the Çanakkale Strait will bring together swimmers from across Türkiye and different parts of the world with the same goal,” she added.

Ahmet Çelik, founder of Wilusa Tur, one of the event’s partners, noted that the Çanakkale Strait Swimming Race is one of the oldest swimming competitions in Türkiye.

Çelik said the race attracts prominent swimmers as well as executives from major companies.

“One of the most important features of this race is the participation of executives from major companies, both white-collar and blue-collar professionals. What makes it particularly distinctive is its mythological background, its location in a geography of great historical significance due to the Gallipoli Campaign, and its proximity to the ancient city of Troy, which has attracted considerable attention in recent years,” Çelik said.

“Çanakkale always manages to remain in the spotlight thanks to the values and heritage of the region. The swimming race is another important event that helps keep the city in focus,” he added.

Photo: Chat GPT