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Istanbul Bogazici Triathlon, held annually across the Bosphorus Strait dividing Istanbul's Asian and European sides, will take place Sunday for the sixth time, with roughly 1,000 athletes from Türkiye and abroad taking part.
Competitors will begin with a 2.2-kilometer swim between the Bosphorus neighborhoods of Kanlica and Kucuksu, followed by a 40-kilometer cycling leg that crosses from Asia to Europe over the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, one of three suspension bridges spanning the strait.
The race concludes with a 10-kilometer run between Kucuksu and Cubuklu. The bridge will be closed to one-directional vehicle traffic for the duration of the cycling leg.
This year's edition marks the first time organizers have added an aquathlon, a combined 2.2-kilometer swim and 10-kilometer run for participants without bicycles who still want to swim the Bosphorus and run past the area's historic waterfront estates.
Türkiye Triathlon Federation President Bayram Yalcinkaya described the event as a "vision and brand race" for the country, noting it remains the world's only intercontinental triathlon.
He said last year's edition combined the Asian and European championships for the first time in the sport's history and that this year delegates visiting from abroad will be shown the location planned for a 2027 event. The European Games are scheduled to be held at the same site next year.
Yalcinkaya said adding the aquathlon is expected to broaden participation, noting it will run alongside the triathlon from the same starting point, with one group of athletes heading to the cycling leg while others begin the run. Race-day registration activities are planned for Saturday, ahead of Sunday's competition.
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