Sofia Marathon

The Sofia Marathon (currently titled the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon under its title sponsor) is Bulgaria's largest road race and the country's flagship marathon. First held on May 22, 1983, the 2026 edition marks its 43rd running, a symbolic milestone that numerically echoes the 42.2 km marathon distance. The race holds a World Athletics Road Race Label and starts and finishes at Knyaz Alexander I Square in front of the National Art Gallery in central Sofia. The marathon course winds past the city's most iconic landmarks, including St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Assembly, the National Palace of Culture, the ancient Roman ruins of Serdica, and the 'Quadrilateral of Tolerance' where the Orthodox Church of St. Nedelya, the Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Sofia Synagogue stand side by side. On clear days runners get views of Mount Vitosha rising above the city. The full event weekend spans five distances (5K, 10K, half marathon, a 2x21K relay, and the marathon) with the marathon and half marathon run on the Sunday. Organizers expect over 10,000 participants across all distances for the 2026 edition. Title sponsorship has shifted over the years; runners should expect the branded name (currently 'Wizz Air Sofia Marathon') to appear on official materials even though the race is administratively the Sofia Marathon.