site.bta40th Sofia Marathon to Be Run on October 8

The 40th Wizz Air Sofia Marathon will start at 9:30 a.m. on October 8, 2023 in Knyaz Alexander Square, in front of the National Art Gallery. The race will finish there, too.

Most of the World Athletics-certified course goes through the heart of Sofia, past some of the city's top historical sights: Lions Bridge, the Central Mineral Baths, the Market Hall, the National Assembly, the Liberator Czar Monument, the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia,  the St Cyril and St Methodius National Library, the St Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral and the St Nichola Russian Church. The terrain is level except two slight climbs of bridges in both directions. The course surface is largely asphalt.

The marathon is categorized as a Bronze Label Road Race by World Athletics.

The annual event has been taking place since 1983. It is organized with the institutional partnership of Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and  the Bulgarian Olympic Committee.

Entrants have until 23:59:59 on September 24, 2023 to register for the event online only. Participants can choose from three distances: 10.4 km (GARMIN Run), 21.098 km (half marathon) and 42.195 km (full marathon). There is no age limit for the 10.4 km and 21.098 km distances, and those opting for the 42.195 km must be at least 18 years old. The full marathon will be covered in two laps. Ranking is individual for men and women in the three distances and in three age groups: 41-50, 51-60, and over 61. All runners who successfully finish their distance will get a medal. There will also be a 5 km fun run without advance registration.

The time limit is 1 hour and 20 minutes for 10 km, 2 hours and 45 minutes for 21 km, and 5 hours and 30 minutes for 42 km. 

More than 1,700 competitors from over 30 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Venezuela, Germany, Greece, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Cyprus, Morocco, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway and Poland, are expected to join the race on October 8. 

Runners on all three distances will be timed with the help of a Bib and UHF chip. 

Refreshment stations, set up at each 4-5 km along the course, will offer water and fruit. A refreshment station at the finish area will have food, fruit, water, hot beverages and cookies.