Alessio Occhipinti wins 39th Ohrid Swimming Marathon
The Italian covered the 25 km Saint Naum–Ohrid course in 5:03,44; 17‑year‑old Petar Cekov finished third among 16 starters.
Italian distance swimmer Alessio Occhipinti won the 39th Ohrid Swimming Marathon held on August 22, 2026.
Occhipinti completed the 25-kilometre Saint Naum–Ohrid course in 5:03,44 hours, taking the victory ahead of Nicolo Richardi. Seventeen-year-old Petar Cekov produced a standout performance and secured third place among a field of 16 marathon swimmers.
Race summary and podium
The event brought together long-distance swimmers from the region and abroad to tackle the open-water route between the monastery at Saint Naum and the city of Ohrid. Organizers recorded a competitive race tempo that allowed Occhipinti to break clear in the closing stages.
Richardi finished second, while Cekov — described by observers as a rising talent in North Macedonia’s marathon swimming — claimed the final podium spot and showed promise for the national programme.
In the women’s competition the winner was Argentine swimmer Matije Alen Puka.
Photo: Ohridski plivachki maraton (FB)
