The 35th Samsung Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race: A Swimming Race That Connects Two Continents
The waters of the Istanbul Strait were more than just a passage between two continents on August 20th; they were a bridge connecting over 2,600 swimmers from 77 countries. The Samsung Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race, that spans Asia to Europe, celebrated its 35th edition, continuing its tradition of uniting swimmers from all corners of the globe.
The event, which began at Kanlıca and concluded at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park, covers a distance of 6.5 kilometers. Organized under the theme “Sport for Everyone”, the race was a joint effort between the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, 26 public and private institutions, NGOs, and was coordinated by the Istanbul Governorship. Samsung Turkey proudly stood as the main sponsor, supporting this iconic event.
Out of the total participants, there are 1331 local and 1310 international swimmers, comprising 1903 men and 738 women
In the men’s division, Doğukan Ulaç led the pack, completing his swim in a swift 41 minutes and 22 seconds. Not far behind, Kerem Hoşgör secured the second position with a time of 43 minutes and 31 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Halil Şensoy, who finished the race in 43 minutes and 44 seconds.
The women’s division was equally competitive. Burcunaz Narin emerged as the leader, marking her victory with a time of 42 minutes and 54 seconds. The second spot was claimed by Hilal Zeyneb Saraç, who completed the race in 43 minutes and 59 seconds. Ada Liza Çelik ensured her place on the podium by finishing third with a time of 44 minutes and 17 seconds.
The event was graced by several dignitaries and notable figures. Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), Philip Choi, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Turkey, and Nihat Usta, Vice President of TMOK and President of the Bosphorus Race Organization Committee, were present to oversee the proceedings. Their collective message was one of gratitude, thanking all participants, contributors, and organizers for making the race a success.
Looking back, the first intercontinental swimming race in the Bosphorus took place in 1989, initiated by the Turkish Olympic Committee. From its humble beginnings with 68 swimmers, the event has grown exponentially, attracting thousands from across the world. The event was “Open Water Swimming Event of the Year” in 2016 and is one of the World Top 100 Open Water Swims .
