Professional athletes regularly travel abroad to participate in continental and world championships and commercial tournaments. Often, professionals spend more time traveling than they do in their own country. But can amateur athletes also travel actively and combine tourism and sports? We are sure they can! We have compiled a list of the best competitions for non-professional athletes around the world. Find your sport and start planning your trip now.
Intercontinental swim across the Bosphorus
The legendary swim across the Bosphorus brings thousands of open water swimming enthusiasts to Istanbul every year. It is the only transcontinental swim in the world. Participants start in Europe and finish in Asia. The distance is 6.5 km and is designed to take two hours.
Both amateurs and professionals can participate in the race on the water. In 2023, the swim will take place on August 20. The organizers have allocated only 1,200 places for foreigners, so you need to grab a slot quickly. The coveted places are snapped up in a matter of minutes.
First, register on the organizers' website —the date is announced in advance. Then immediately pay for your slot—in 2023, the fee is $400. If a registration notification appears in your personal account and you receive payment confirmation, the slot is yours!
But that's not all. To participate, you need to provide one photo and a list of documents: a scan of your passport, a health certificate, a letter of recommendation from your coach, and their diploma.
After that, it all depends on your level and training regime. Amateurs often turn to sports schools for special training to prepare for the Bosphorus swim. This allows them to approach the competition in optimal shape and prepare for serious exertion.
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is the oldest long-distance running competition. The first race took place in 1897. Since then, it has been the most prestigious marathon competition in the world. Every year, thousands of athletes dream of participating in the race, but not everyone can secure a coveted spot.
Both professionals and amateurs participate in the marathon. Despite the fact that Olympic champions have won Boston five times, it is still open to amateurs.
Applicants must meet the established criteria. Specifically, they must complete one of the certified marathons faster than the qualifying time. However, even this does not guarantee a place in the final pool of participants, as the number of applications submitted exceeds the quota set by the organizers.
30,000 participants cover the distance from Hopkinton to downtown Boston. The entry fee is $225 for US residents and $235 for foreigners. The winners of the marathon receive $150,000. All athletes start in a group. At the finish line, marathoners are divided into winners in the men's and women's categories. The prize money for the winners in both categories is the same.
The Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race
Oxford and Cambridge Universities compete not only in the educational arena. The traditional boat race between the two renowned British universities is one of the top five most popular sporting events in the country. The first race took place in 1829. Since then, it has only been canceled a few times: due to world wars and the coronavirus pandemic.
The traditional rowing competition takes place annually on the last Saturday in March or the first Saturday in April. Students from Cambridge (blue uniforms) and Oxford (dark blue uniforms) cover a distance of 6.4 kilometers. This takes about 20 minutes. Competitions between men's and women's crews are held separately.
Around 250,000 fans usually come to see the famous regatta on the banks of the Thames. Throughout the history of the tournament, the men's crews from Cambridge have won 85 times, while Oxford has won 81 times. In the women's competition, Cambridge has the advantage with 46 wins to Oxford's 30.
Access to the competitions is open only to university students. However, amateurs often took part in the races and later won medals at international tournaments: Matthew Pincent, Colin Moynihan, Tim Foster. Hugh Laurie, who played Dr. House in the series of the same name, participated in a rowing regatta in 1980. Write in the comments whether the team with the famous actor was able to win.
Les 3 Vallées Enduro
The winter sports competition has been held for 19 years at the Les 3 Vallées ski resort in Tarentaise (France). The aim of the one-day festival is to introduce people to the famous Les 3 Vallées ski resort.
The organizers bring a touch of originality and modernity to traditional competitions. They invite participants to compete for victory in freeride, speed descent, biathlon, big air, derby, pumped slalom, rescue operations, mountaineering relay, and general time trial competitions.
To participate, you must register a team of three people in one of the categories: "professionals," "family," or "amateurs," and pay the entry fee. Keep in mind that you can save money by booking early online.
European Amateur Golf Championship
This tournament has been held under the auspices of the European Golf Association since 1986. The venue changes every year. In 2023, Estonia will host the championship from June 28 to July 1.
144 athletes are eligible to participate. These are male amateur golfers ranked in the top 1,600 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and amateur players with a WHS handicap index of 0.0 or higher.
If the number of applications exceeds 144, the organizers will create a reserve list. Enthusiasts from this list will have the opportunity to participate if athletes from the main group decline to compete.
Among golfers, there are categories whose place in the main competition is guaranteed in advance. These are the winner of the previous championship and the winner of this year's South American Amateur Championship.
To participate in the competition, you must submit your application before the deadline. The organizers will compile a list and announce their decision. You will need to register on site during the championship. If a golfer does not show up on time, their status will be revoked.
International Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival
The open water swimming festival has been held in Taiwan since 1983. Anyone over the age of 10 can participate in the competition, regardless of their level of training. The organizers simply form groups so that all swimmers can move at a comfortable pace.
They will have to cover a distance of three kilometers across the lake with picturesque views. Every year, the swim attracts thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world. In different years, the festival has attracted up to 22,000 participants. The organizers announce the number of places before registration begins.
After participating in the swim, tourists can stop in the small town of Ittao. There, you can learn about the traditions, history, and way of life of the local Tao tribe. Nearby is Lalu Island, where the indigenous people perform traditional religious rituals.
Amateur sailing regatta in Barcelona
This competition is ideal for those who want not only to go sailing, but also to strengthen relationships with colleagues. Barcelona Boat Rental can organize a corporate sailing regatta for amateurs. This competition is not held annually, but at any time of the year upon request.
The Spanish company takes care of all the organizational responsibilities: from logistics to coordinating the dates and times of the races. The competition is between teams. All participants are divided into sailing crews led by experienced captains.
Before the start, participants are introduced to the basics of sailing, taught how to determine wind direction, how to steer a boat, and safety techniques. After being assigned to crews, each participant is given a role in the team and, along with it, responsibilities in steering the sailboat.
The regatta consists of several races. During each race, participants must work together to steer their sailboat to victory. This creates both competition and close cooperation, as victory in the regatta depends on the coordinated actions of all crew members.
Prices start at €150 per person. The organizers will determine the exact price of the regatta after discussing all the details of the event.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
This bicycle race originated from a bet between the Mayer brothers. Tom was a cycling enthusiast, while Jim worked as a conductor on the railroad. In 1971, they bet on who could get from Durango to Silverton faster: Tom on his bike or Jim on the train. Tom won the race, even though he had to cross two mountain passes.
The race has been held regularly since 1972. Every year, amateurs and professionals come to Iron Horse to test their strength in one or even several races. Durango is famous for its mountain bike trails.
To participate, you must register and provide your contact details, after which you can select the races you wish to attend.
The multi-day cycling event program includes nine competitions, including road races, mountain bike races, gravel races, e-bike races, off-road races, omnium, and children's competitions.
The most popular event of the sports festival is the McDonald's Citizen Tour. Participants cover a distance of 80.5 kilometers, two mountain passes, and a 1.8-kilometer climb against the backdrop of Colorado's scenery. The rules of the tournament are rooted in a bet between brothers: participants must reach the finish line before the train. The entry fee for this race is $145.
Both amateurs and professionals can take part in the festival. They compete in different categories, which are determined in advance by the organizers. In 2023, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic will take place from May 26 to 28.
