site.btaRecord Number of Entrants for Wednesday's Sofia Relay Marathon

The ninth edition of the Sofia relay marathon has attracted a record-high number of entrants. 90 teams will compete in the adult race and about 20 teams will compete in the children's race. The race will take place at 9 in the morning on September 6, with the start-finish in front of the Vasil Levski Stadium. Streets in Sofia will be closed for a part of the day during the marathon.

Traditionally, the strongest athletes of the country in middle and long distances, as well as hundreds of running enthusiasts will stand at the start. 

The event is held in honour of the national holiday, the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia, on September 6, 1885.

The route has a start/finish line in front of Vasil Levski Stadium and goes through the streets of central Sofia.

This year the race is under the patronage of the Embassy of Japan and is included in the calendar of the Japanese Culture Days in September. 

Relay marathons are one of the most popular races in the world of athletics. In different countries these events have different names, but the organizers of the Bulgarian race prefer the classic "Ekiden" in a gesture of respect for the Japanese tradition.

The first relay marathon was held in Japan.

In addition to professional athletes, amateurs can also enter the race. Thus, everyone can compete or be in a team with some of the strongest athletes of Bulgaria. Teams can be all-male, all-female or mixed.