Route

The Merkio Marathon is a kayaking competition platform designed to promote and popularize this wonderful sport. Our goal is to create a community and organize memorable competitions.

Finish

The Merkio Marathon is a kayaking competition platform designed to promote and popularize this wonderful sport. Our goal is to create a community and organize memorable competitions.

Regulations

1. Objectives

To promote paddling as a sport, leisure and healthy lifestyle, to identify the strongest crews in

different classes, to attract participants from abroad and to promote the name of the Republic of Lithuania

internationally, to introduce the participants of the marathon to the beauty of the Dzukija National Park

and the Varena District.

2. Definitions

2.1 Merkis Marathon - a paddling race in which crews in different classes compete to find out who

can cover the distance from the start to the finish line the fastest.

2.2 The marathon course - the course of the River Merkis from the start line to the finish line.

2.3 Crew – one competitor racing in a single boat or several competitors racing together in one boat.

2.4 Class of competitors – crews are divided into classes based on the number of paddlers on board,

gender, and type of boat.

2.5 Start time – the time recorded by the umpire when the crew crosses the start line and begins the

race.

2.6 Finish time – the time recorded by the umpire when the crew crosses the finish line.

2.7 Course completion time – the time interval between the start and finish times during which the

crew completed the marathon course.

2.8 A boat - a kayak, canoe, paddleboard (SUP), or other watercraft powered solely by the physical

power of the crew.

2.9 The prize winners - the three crews with the best course times in each class of competitors.

2.10 Special prize winners – the youngest and the oldest competitor, regardless of gender, who have

completed the entire marathon course and crossed the finish line.

2.11 Entry fee – a fixed fee per crew member.

3. Crew classes

3.1 All paddling enthusiasts are welcome to Merkys Marathon, regardless of age. Paddlers under the

age of 18 must have parental or team leader consent, or race in the same crew with an adult competitor.

3.2 In order to promote paddling and provide an opportunity for crews with various experience to

compete for prizes, they are divided into 16 classes. Kayak crews in sport, narrow bats compete in the

Sport classes for single women (K1W) and men (K1 M), double women (K2 W), double men (K2 M) and

mixed double (K2 Mix). Kayak crews in wider boats compete in the same Tourist classes. The widths of

the kayak hulls are indicated in the table below. In the K2 Turist Rent class, all crews compete only with

pre-rented two-seater identical boats (advance boat reservation is required). Please note, we

recommend to paddle boats with over

3.3 K1 and K2 kayaks can be paddled using only a two-bladed paddle. SUP, C1 and C2 canoes can

be paddled using only a single-bladed paddle. All boats can be powered using only the physical strength

of the crew. Kayaks cannot be modified in such a way as to obviously meet the requirements of another

class, even though they could not be classified in that class based on their original characteristics.

3.4 The crew and boat cannot be changed during the race.

3.5 Crew may be disqualified for failure to comply with these rules.

4. Registration

4.1 Once the organizers announce the start of registration, the crew should submit pre-entry

application. Applications can be submitted up until the day of the race, but the entry fee increases

significantly if you register later.

4.2 Pre-entry application must clearly indicate:

- the full name and surname of each crew member, year of birth, class in which they going to race;

- e-mail address, phone number;

- country represented, club, organization or team represented (optional);

- whether they will need a shuttle service from the finish to the start (very important, more

information in the Logistics section);

- to book a kayak for the K2 Turist Rent class and make a payment for the rental along with the

entry fee.

In case of any doubts, the crew can contact the organizers using the specified contacts for assistance.

Crews still have the option to race without a pre-entry application, by arriving directly at the start

registration, but paying a significantly higher start fee.

Dear friends, in our sincere efforts to organize the marathon in a quality manner, to ensure sufficient

amount of prizes and meals, and organizing transportation for crews, we need to know the number of

crews and their needs as early as possible. We kindly ask for your understanding and encourage you to

register by submitting pre-entry application.

4.3 Upon arrival at the race start location, crews must register at the start registration, confirming their

arrival, receiving a start number and information about their assigned start time.

5. Entry fee

5.1 After submitting pre-entry application, the crew pays a entry fee for each crew member. The pre-

entry application becomes effective upon receipt of the payment order by the organizers. The Merkys

Marathon is a non-profit event. The entry fee is required for partially cover the costs of event.

2026

LITHUANIAN WATER TOURISM MARATHON “MERKIS MARATHON 2026”

5.2 The entry fee should be paid by bank transfer to the account: IBAN account

LT877300010116134650, “Swedbank” AB, Konstitucijos 20A, Vilnius, SWIFT code: HABALT22. The

recipient - Active leisure club "4 ELEMENTS". The payment purpose must include First Name / Last

Name / Merkis Marathon.

5.3 If the crew doesn’t arrive to the race or disqualified, the entry fee will not be refunded.6. Completing the course

6.1 The start line of the Merkys marathon - Old Varena Bridge (54.24564737464226,

24.553113451126393). The finish line - Puvočiai campsite near the village of Puvočiai, at the confluence

of the Grūda and Merkys rivers, Varėna district municipality (54.12029674811841,

24.308471143711294). The length of the course is approximately 32 km.

6.2 Crews racing only in the Merkis River bed. No portages allowed. Any shortening of the course

distance by the crew moving on land is prohibited. An exception may be made only if the river is blocked

by fallen trees or other obstacles that cannot be overcome in any other way except by land.

6.3 Any assistance from outsiders or technical equipment to racing crews is not permitted.

6.4 Crews must organize their meals and liquids in such a way that no litter enters the river.

Littering - strictly prohibited. Part of the Merkis River is located in the Dzukija National Park.

6.5 Crews must race honourably and fairly. The use of prohibited substances and doping in sports is

prohibited. Unsportsmanlike conduct is prohibited. For unsportsmanlike conduct, the organizers may

restrict the crew's ability to participate in the following year's Merkys Marathon, and may also impose a

time penalty and adjust the final position or disqualification. The crew is disqualified for the use of

prohibited substances and doping.

7. Logistic and accommodation

7.1 For crews from further cities or countries, we recommend to arrive on Friday, 06 06 2025.

Overnight stays are not allowed at the start location in Senoji Varena. Overnight stays are allowed at the

finish location, at the Puvočiai campsite (We ask to purchase a Dzūkija National Park visitor ticket).

You can do this: https://dnp.lrv.lt/lt/informacija-lankytojams/lankytoju-bilietas/

7.2 On the morning of the race, crews arriving at the start location in Senoji Varėna, to the lower car

park by the river, next to the church (54.24587988036156, 24.55229246474036). The lower car park next

to the start zone is very small, so please arrive earlier, and after unloading your boat please move your car

to the upper car park on Vytauto Street. See Appendix No. 1. If your boat is light enough and you can

carry it about 350 meters to the start zone, we kindly ask you to park your cars immediately in the

upper car park on Vytauto Street.

7.3 Crews are advised to have their own car drivers who will be able to drive your cars from the

start to the finish. Crews that do not have drivers can drive their cars from the start to the finish (Puvočiai

campsite) themselves and return to the start point using the organizers' transport.

7.4 Crews or their drivers at the finish shall follow Appendix No. 3.

7.5 Crew fans can support the paddlers with smiles and applause in Perloja, near the pedestrian

bridge (54.21207824265636, 24.420435742744285), where the crews will have covered about 13 km.

8. Preparation, start time and procedure

8.1 The Marathon will take place on June 6, 2026. Starts begin at 12:00.

8.2 Check-in at the start zone is compulsory for all crews and takes place from 8:00 to 11:30. At

check-in, the crew receives a start number and is informed about its assigned start time. We recommend

arrive and check-in earlier. This will help us avoid congestion and give you more time to prepare for the

race, get to know and communicate with other crews.

8.3 Start numbers must be affixed by crews in such a way that they are clearly visible. If the

number is glued, it must be glued to the left side of the boat. If the number is a T-shirt issued by the

organizers, it must be worn by the crew member sitting at the front of the boat.

8.4 After check-in, crews with their own drivers shall bring their boats to the start zone from 8:00

to 11:30 and prepare for the start.

8.5 After check-in, crews without their own drivers shall bring boats to the start zone from 8:00 to

10:00 and prepare for the start. One crew member must leave for the finish by their own car no later than

10:00. We recommend to go to the finish by the route marked in Appendix No. 2. Crews leaves their cars

at the finish car park. The bus from the Puvočiai campsite to the start departs at exactly 11:00. Please do

not be late. We kindly ask crews to indicate the need for transportation in the pre-registration form, as

the number of seats on the bus is limited. The organizers are not responsible for late crews.

8.6 At 11:40, a short briefing for the crews will begin at the start zone.8.7 After the briefing, at 11:45, the crews head to the river and line up in the warm-up zone

according to their start times. Attention, the number of entry places is limited, please do not delay.

8.8 Starts begin at 12:00. Crews of different classes start at 2-minute intervals. Time lost in case of

late start is not compensated. Start times and order are indicated in the table.

9. Safety requirements

9.1 The Merkys is a safe river, suitable for paddlers with less experience. However, crews must to

make adequate judgements about distance, weather conditions, skills, clothing, drinks, and food.

9.2 Crews take personal responsibility for their health and safe behaviour on the marathon course.

9.3 Crews take personal responsibility for ensuring that in case of a capsizing, their boats remain

afloat, all items in them are properly secured, will not be and will not cause pollution. The organizers are

not responsible for the consequences of incidents, lost or damaged items, or injuries sustained.

9.4 Life jackets are compulsory for all crews. Crews are responsible for providing their own life

jackets. For Tourist Rent clas life jackets may be provided by the rental company. Crews not wearing life

jackets will be disqualified.

9.5 All crews must have at least one fully charged phone in waterproof case (in life jacket pocket)

with saved organizers' phone number.

9.6 The consumption of alcohol and other intoxicating substances by crews before and during the

marathon is strictly prohibited. If the organizers determine a crew member visibly intoxicated, the entire

crew will be disqualified, no prizes will be awarded.

9.7 The race distance is accessible to everyone, but in the event of an unforeseen situation, the

crew may finish the race earlier, without reaching the finish line. Any crew that decides to finish the race

earlier must inform the organizers by phone and do so in settlements where access by car is available

(Perloja, Milioniškės, Mardasavas). No prizes will be awarded to crews who do not finish the race. The

organizers do not guarantee logistics services for crews that do not finish the race. They may be subject to

additional charges.

10. Results and awards

10.1 The results of the crews are determined by the time they complete the course. All crews that

complete the marathon course are awarded with exclusive Merkys Marathon medals.

10.2 All crews who complete the marathon course will be treated to refreshments.

10.2 Prize winners and special prize winners will be additionally awarded prizes established by

the organizers, sponsors and the Varėna Education, Culture and Sports Department. The awards

ceremony will begin at 17.00.

10.3 The time limit for completing the marathon course is 5 hours. If the crew exceeds on the

course, the organizers have the right not to record the time taken by the crew to complete the course. Any

crew that exceeds the time limit on the marathon course is requested to contact the organizers by phone.

10.4 Merkis Marathon cours time record - 2 hours 3 minutes 57 seconds belongs to Vytautas

Mažeika and Darius Styra. It was achieved in 2008 while racing in a tourist double kayak. The crew that

breaks the record will be awarded a special prize of 200 euros established by sponsors. If several crews

break the record, the prize will be awarded to the crew with the fastest time on the course. Crews that

break the record gain the right to run the marathon for free the following year.

11. Mandatory for the marathon

Every crew member and supporter must bring a good mood, a smile, and a dose of positivity to the

Merkys Marathon for themselves and a friend ;)

12. Consents

By registering for the marathon, crews agree that the organizers may, at their discretion, publicly

publish race protocols (indicating the names, surnames, class in which the participants are racing, the

country and team represented, and the results achieved), images and footage captured by video recording

devices during the event.13. Organizers

The marathon is organized by “Lithuanian Kayak Marathon Team”, Active leisure club "4 ELEMENTS"

(VŠĮ ‘‘4 Stichijos‘‘) and Varena Sports Center.

Information: +37060405905 Julius Survila j.survila@gmail.com

+370 657 76060 Arnoldas Latvėnas arnisl@yahoo.com