May 23, Saturday – Elite Race – 45 km distance completed in a single day

May 23-24, Saturday – Sunday – Loisir Race – 45 km distance split over two days: Day 1 – 21 km, Day 2 – 24 km

Who can participate?

Anyone aged 16 or older who is medically fit for sustained physical effort. Minors can only participate with written consent from their legal guardian.

ELITE (1 day)

Kayak & Canoe
Women: K1 / C1 / K2 / C2
Men: K1 / C1 / K2 / C2
Mixt: K2 / C2

SUP
Women
Men

LOISIR (2 days)

Kayak & Canoe
Women: K1 / C1 / K2 / C2
Men: K1 / C1 / K2 / C2 / K4
Mixt: K2 / C2 / Canotca 5*

SUP
Women
Men

For individual events in LOISIR: K1, C1, SUP, the following age categories are accepted:
Women: 16-18/ 19-23/ 24-49/ 50-59 / 60+
Men: 16-18 / 19-23 / 24-49 / 50-59 / 60+

( The birth year will be considered for classification in a specific age category)

**The organizers provide 7 canotcas for 5-person teams on a first-come, first-served basis

Registrations & Fees

Registrations will be done exclusively online for Elite & Loisir, with the following deadlines and participation fees:

January 20 – March 14 / Early Bird registration – 350 RON / 70 Eur

March 15 – April 14 / Regular registration – 450 RON / 90 Eur

April 15 – May 10 / Last Call registration – 500 RON / 100 Eur

After the deadline, no registrations will be accepted.

The registration will be validated after the participation fee is paid through card payment or bank transfer to the provided account directly on the registration platform.

The invoice for the payment can be picked up in original form on the day before the start, May 22, at the InfoPoint.

Validation of participation will take place the day before the start, on May 22, after: presenting the identity card, signing the acknowledgment of the regulations and the declaration of own responsibility.

Minors wishing to participate must have a declaration signed by a guardian.

Completing the validation gives the participant the right to receive the race number along with the participation kit (water, promotional materials from sponsors, T-shirt, etc.).

In case you wish to cancel a confirmed registration, please notify us by email: maraton@rowmania.ro.

The participation fee is non-refundable, with the following options available:

• Transfer of registration to another participant. The registration can be transferred to another person by sending us an email to the address above, specifying the complete details of the new participant. The written confirmation sent by email by the organizers represents the validation of the new registration.
• Picking up the participation kit (whether you participate or not).

ELITE Category

Open-style rankings will be established for the professional categories as follows:

Kayak & Canoe (Awards for 1st – 3rd Place):

• OPEN Women: WK1, WC1, WK2 and WC2.
• OPEN Men: MK1, MC1, MK2 and MC2.
• OPEN MIXED: K2 and C2.

SUP (Awards for 1st – 5th Place):

• OPEN Women: WSUP.
• OPEN Men: MSup.

🏆 Podium Validation & Prize Eligibility

!! Please note that podium validation and the awarding of prizes are strictly conditioned by minimum participation numbers:

• Kayak & Canoe: A minimum of 5 athletes per category (MK1, WK1, MK2, WK2, MixtK2, MC1, WC1, MC2, WC2, MixtC2) is required.
• SUP: A minimum of 10 athletes per category (MSup, WSup) is required.

Prize Money

1st place: MC1, MK1, WC1, WK1 (1000 Eur) // MK2, MC2, WK2, WC2, WK2, WC2, MK2, MC2, MixtC2, MixtK2 (1200 Eur) // MSup, WSup (2000 Eur)
2nd place: MC1, MK1, WC1, WK1 (700 Eur) // MK2, MC2, WK2, WC2, WK2, WC2, MK2, MC2, MixtC2, MixtK2 (800 Eur) // MSup, WSup (1400 Eur)
3rd place: MC1, MK1, WC1, WK1 (400 Eur) // MK2, MC2, WK2, WC2, WK2, WC2, MK2, MC2, MixtC2, MixtK2 (400 Eur) // MSup, WSup (800 Eur)
4th place:  MSup, WSup (500 Eur)
5th place: MSup, WSup (300 Eur)

LOISIR Category

Rankings for the Loisir category are organized to celebrate both overall performance and age-specific achievements:

• Individual events (K1, C1, SUP):
  • Open Rankings: Awards for 1st – 3rd Place for Open Women and Open Men.
  • Age Categories: Awards for 1st – 3rd Place (both Men and Women) for the following brackets: 16-18, 19-23, 24-49, 50-59, and 60+.

• Team events (K2, C2, K4):
  • Awards for 1st – 3rd Place for Open Women, Open Men, and Open Mixed, for each K2, C2, K4

• Canotca 5:
  • Awards for 1st – 3rd Place for Open Mixed category

Prizes for the LOISIR category will be announced shortly.

!!! Important Regulations & Prize Conditions !!!

• Podium Validation: A minimum of 5 participants is required to validate a category.
• Category Merging: If the minimum of 5 participants is not met, organizers reserve the right to merge that category with a similar one.
• Cash Prizes: Only categories that meet the minimum requirement of 5 participants are eligible for cash prizes.
• Ranking Exclusivity: Winners of the Open rankings will be excluded from the Age Category rankings to allow more participants to be recognized.

Participants have the opportunity to rent professional-grade equipment through our partner, Sports Camps.

For availability and reservations, please contact them directly using the details below:

• SUP rental: sup@sports-camps.net
• Canoe / kayak & general coordination: manuela@sports-camps.net

General conditions:

The competition is open to both amateurs and professionals.
The course will be clearly marked to ensure easy navigation for all participants.
The competition takes place on water, in the Danube Delta, under early summer conditions, in areas that may pose risks such as obstacles (trees, branches), capsizing, or slipping into the water. (Organizers will take measures to minimize potential risks, but they cannot be completely eliminated.)

Participation requires specific experience and knowledge, including:

General experience on the water

• Physical and technical training
• The ability to swim
• The ability to use maps and course information for navigation and safety
• Knowledge of safety rules in case of water hazards
• Demonstrating fair play and acting accordingly in dangerous or emergency situations
• Understanding that no prize is more important than one’s health and life

Participants assume full responsibility for their participation!
Organizers are not liable for any accident or damage incurred by participants during the competition.

Rules of conduct on the water:

• Following the designated course and checkpoints
• Maintaining a safe distance between boats
• Avoiding areas with strong currents or heavy trafic
• Maintaining constant communication with organizers and other participants
• Alcohol and prohibited substances are strictly forbidden

Medical aptitude

Each competitor is liable for their own health and fitness to be ready to compete in the races. Upon registering for the race, the participants give a declaration of their medical state.

The Organizer does not take any responsibility for any harm to the health and the consequences thereof due to the participant’s medical state during the races.

All participants are strongly advised to take out medical insurance.

Safety conditions:

Participants must follow the instructions of referees.
The organizers reserve the right to stop a participant from continuing the race if they suffer an injury that prevents them from proceeding.
In exceptional cases, any competitor in distress may withdraw voluntarily. For security reasons, withdrawal must take place at a designated checkpoint, following the evacuation procedure explained in the technical briefing—except in serious emergencies where self-movement is impossible. Withdrawal will be recorded on the referee’s log.

All participants are required to assist anyone in danger or difficulty. In severe cases, they must notify the nearest referee or inform the organizers via phone. Referees will consider the time spent providing assistance.

Competitors must show fair play and allow a faster participant to pass without obstruction.

The organizers reserve the right to modify the race route or even stop the competition if adverse weather conditions make it necessary.

By registering, paying the fee, and participating, each competitor confirms they have read, understood, and accepted the participation conditions and these rules. They assume the risks and responsibility for their own actions, taking into account relevant circumstances such as weather changes and available equipment.

In the event of force majeure (e.g., major floods, natural disasters, or significant political events that disrupt the competition), 50% of the participation fee will be refunded if the event is canceled.

The organizer AIP-Mila 23 reserves the right to grant free access to the Canoe Marathon through a wild card, especially to athletes with an international track record.

The organizers have developed an emergency response plan, available in ANNEX 1.

Safety rules and emergency protocols will be presented during the technical meeting before the race. A set of safety rules and emergency procedures is available in ANNEX 2.

All participants are required to read, understand, and follow these rules.

The organizers reserve the right to take disciplinary measures if the rules are not followed.

Motorized safety boats with referees will be stationed along the route, monitoring all areas of the race. They will remain in constant radio communication to intervene in case of emergencies.

Emergency Signals

• 3 short whistle blasts – Request for help
• Flashing lights – Emergency night signaling
• Raising the paddle/paddle vertically – Need for assistance

Evacuation Points and Temporary Shelters

The competition is designed so that participants have access to clear instructions and support points in case of unforeseen situations. Each control point is properly marked, and withdrawal zones are strategically placed for the safety of participants.

Throughout the entire route, there will be 8 designated checkpoints and resupply stations, clearly marked and visible.

Participants must pass through the checkpoints, where their arrival order will be recorded.

At the resupply stations, competitors will find water, fruits etc.

A mobile first aid station will be available, providing specialized medical assistance if needed.

Participants are required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and display their race numbers (in a visible location) throughout the entire competition.

The mandatory equipment includes, but is not limited to:

– Rigid or inflatable watercraft (kayak, canoe, SUP, canotcă)

– Paddle or oar (plus a spare)

– Personal floating device (PFD), worn at all times during the competition

– For SUP athletes – leash is mandatory

– Clothing suitable for wind/sun/water conditions

– Water bottle

– Mobile phone with an extra battery (where signal is available)

– Race number (provided by the organizers), worn visibly throughout the competition

– Overnight camping gear (if case)

– Safety whistle

– Headlamp or emergency light signal

– Route map / GPS / Marathon App

– First aid kit / survival blanket

An extended list of recommendations (especially for the athletes in LOISIR category) is available in ANNEX 3.

Timing will be conducted using timing equipment, supplemented by referees stationed at the control points.

The winners of the race will be those who reach the Finish Line in the shortest time after completing the entire course.

Start rules:

The starting order will be announced during the technical meeting on the day before the race. All boats must be on the water at least 15 minutes before their designated start time. Launching into the water is only permitted from designated areas set by the organizers (which will be announced in advance). These zones will be controlled.

Officials will inspect each boat before launch to ensure it is in good condition and properly marked with a race number. Competitors must wear their life vests and visible race numbers. Boats that do not pass this inspection will be considered absent from the start. If the competition committee considers a boat unsafe for the competitor or others, it may be banned from the race until the issue is resolved.

!The start will be given on the water!

▶ Water Start: The official start for all competition categories will be given directly on the water.

▶ The starter’s commands will be clearly audible via loudspeakers along the starting area. All commands will be given in English:

▶ The start command is “Ready” followed by a horn signal.

▶ Timing Control Point at START: Timing station will be situated on the water (visible speed boat).

  !!! Mandatory Passage: To ensure accurate timing, all boats must pass in close proximity to the water-based timing station to be officially recorded by the timing team.

Finish Rules:

After crossing the finish line, competitors must continue paddling past the line towards the designated disembarkation zone, which will be announced and marked in advance.

The organizers reserve the right to disqualify or remove any competitor from the race if they violate the rules or commit any of the following infractions:

• Loss of race number
• Missing a checkpoint
• Deviating from the official route or taking shortcuts
• Abandoning equipment or littering on the course (trash can be left at designated control points and refuelling stations)
• Unsportsmanlike conduct towards competitors, officials, organizers, volunteers, spectators, or locals
• Pushing, intentional collisions, or damaging another competitor’s equipment
• Exceeding the time limit
• Changing boats during the race
• Intentionally blocking another athlete’s route
• Receiving external assistance (a competitor cannot be accompanied or helped by non-participating boats or other vessels along the course)

Penalties & Appeals:

Penalties received during the race will be added to the competitor’s final time. Disqualifications and penalties are decided by the Competition Committee and may be contested.

• Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of the results being posted.
• A fee of 200 Ron/50 Eur must accompany each complaint.

Any participant who can no longer continue or chooses to withdraw from the race, for any reason, must inform the organizers as soon as possible by calling the phone number provided at registration or by notifying the nearest referee. Any participant who withdraws or is disqualified and is in a physically capable condition is responsible for their own transportation and actions after withdrawal, except for those who require intervention from the organizers due to injury or inability to continue on their own.

Rescue teams will be stationed along the course, ready to assist in case of accidents or if a participant is physically unable to continue or withdraw independently.

Read more here!

Read more here!

Read more here!

Read more here!

Usually, in the end of August, the average temperature of the water is somewhere around 14-18° C and the average temperature of the air is somewhere around 22-24° C.

The venue is in Tulcea, Romania.

Tulcea city is situated in the north part of Dobrogea, in the south-eastern part of Romania, close to Constanta.

The city of Tulcea, laid out on seven hills like Rome, has been an important harbor since ancient times. It has a population of about 90,000 inhabitants. Located at the tip of the three channels of Danube river, where the famous Danube river finally ends its journey through Europe as it empties into the Black sea creating the famous Danube Delta, Tulcea makes a great starting point for exploring the Delta.

The Danube Delta is comprised of an intricate network of waterways and lakes divided between the three main estuary channels of the Danube. The area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a vast array of wildlife.

Tulcea, also known as the entry gates to the Danube Delta, represents one of the most inspiring venues for organizing a rowing marathon.

Tulcea presentations –

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR1T-ZADAbI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMnA7kiUbLY

Discover Tulcea APP: You and Tulcea

Download for: IOS or PLAY.

• By plane:

Nearest airports:

The main and the largest airport is Henri Coanda International Airport, located 300 km of Tulcea, nearby Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu Airport is an airport serving Bucharest, located about 8.5 km north of the city center.

The closest airport is Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport (CND), located 105 km south of Tulcea, nearby Constanta. The airport operates few flights from/to London (Wizzair) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).

• By car:

Western Border: (Hungary / Szeged) – 905 km

South Border: (Bulgaria / Ruse) – 352 / Varna – 280 km

East Border: (Moldavia) – 115 km

How to Get to Tulcea: from Bucharest

• by car:

from Bucharest: A2 -> Drajna -> Slobozia -> Giurgeni (bridge*) -> Ciucurova -> Cataloi → Tulcea

* Do not forget to pay the bridge toll

• by bus:

from Bucharest Airport (Otopeni or Băneasa) – direct transfer by bus – provided by Kidvad Tours

https://kirvad.ro/tulcea-otopeni

• by train:

Check schedule – https://mersultrenurilor.infofer.ro

For accommodation and transportation/transfer arrangements, please contact:

Agency World Traveler

Contact person: Amira Dragomir

LWTRAVELER@YAHOO.COM

+40-748-115.483

They can offer you accommodation in *** or **** Hotels and Pensions with or whiteout meals, close to the event venue. The prices range from 50 euro (double rooms with breakfast included) to 90 euro (double rooms with breakfast included).

You may book and organize your transport and accommodation yourself, you can find all information needed in ANNEX 4.

Read more here!