The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race is an annual 6.5 km open water event in Istanbul, Turkey, where thousands of swimmers cross the Bosphorus strait from the Asian side (Kanlıca) to the European side (Kuruçeşme). Organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee, the race takes place in July or August and offers a unique experience of swimming between two continents with the aid of strong currents.

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OFFICIAL TRAILER

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Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim Race

Istanbul, Turkey

6,5 km (~ 4 miles)

The event is famous for being one of the few intercontinental open-water races in the world and a popular spectator event. Swimmers must navigate the Bosphorus’s strong currents and its status as a major international waterway, with the strait closed to all other boat traffic during the event.

  •   Start: Kanlıca, on the Asian side.

  •   Finish: Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park, on the European side.

  •   Key Feature: Swimmers race between continents, a unique experience facilitated by the Bosphorus’s strong currents.

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Why it’s Special Event?

  •   Unique Geography: It is one of the few races globally that allows participants to swim between two continents.

  •   Historical Significance: The race takes place in Istanbul, a city with a rich history spanning three empires.

  •   Navigating Currents: Swimmers must skillfully use the Bosphorus’s fast-moving, often strong, currents to their advantage, as fighting them can be exhausting and lead to being swept away.

  •   Spectator Event: Tens of thousands of spectators line the Bosphorus to watch the swim, which includes a temporary closure of the strait to all other boat traffic.

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DISCOVER ISTANBUL

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Andrzej Waszkewicz - Sports Manager