The Return of the Ismailia International Aqua Marathon
By Dr. Mohamed Marouf Egypt
After 28 years away from the international open-water swimming calendar, the historic Ismailia International Aqua Marathon has returned to the waters of Ismailia, Egypt, marking an important and emotional moment for Egyptian open-water swimming.
Held on October 1–3, 2026, and organized by the Suez Canal General Club, the revived event brought together more than 300 swimmers representing a remarkable range of ages and experience levels. Young athletes competed alongside seasoned swimmers, including competitors approaching 80 years of age, demonstrating that open-water swimming truly belongs to every generation.
The program featured races of 500 meters, 1 km, 3 km, and 4 km, providing opportunities for both developing swimmers and experienced open-water athletes to take part.
he conditions could not have been better for the long-awaited return. The water temperature was approximately 26°C, with air temperatures around 28°C, creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for swimmers, families, coaches, and spectators.
The revival of the marathon was made possible through the support of the Suez Canal Authority, the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Egyptian Swimming Federation, whose cooperation helped bring this historic event back to life.
A particularly important role was played by Hisham El Bone, Chairman of the Suez Canal Club, whose vision, leadership, and determination were instrumental in restoring the event after almost three decades.
But this was about much more than bringing back a swimming competition.
The return of the Ismailia International Aqua Marathon represents a reconnection with Egypt's deep and proud history in open-water and marathon swimming. The waters of the Suez Canal have witnessed generations of swimmers, and the revival of this event creates an opportunity to pass that heritage on to a new generation.
The 2026 edition should therefore be viewed not as an ending, but as the beginning of a new chapter.
With the experience gained from this year's successful revival, the ambition is now to develop future editions into a truly international open-water festival, attracting swimmers from Egypt and around the world and once again establishing Ismailia as an important destination on the global marathon swimming map.
