X-WATERS Санкт-Петербург

X-WATERS Saint Petersburg 2026 takes place on August 21-22, offering three distances: 1000m, 1852m (one mile), and a 5000m circuit. The race is held in the river waters surrounding Yelagin Island, a protected natural area in the city center. Entry fees range from approximately 55 to 83 EUR, with all participants receiving a starter pack. The race logistics are managed around the Green Beach, which serves as the hub for starts and finishes.

Historical currents and landmarks

As you navigate the waters, the route traces significant historical sites that define the city's legacy. You will pass the Krestovsky Island waterfront, where a fatal duel between Prince Nikolai Yusupov and Count Arvid Manteuffel took place in 1908 following a high-profile scandal. Nearby, the Little Nevka holds darker lore; it was here in 1917 that the body of Grigory Rasputin was recovered from the ice, a discovery that fueled enduring folklore regarding the nature of his final moments. Along the northern bank, the Datsan Gunzechoinei stands as a striking architectural landmark, recognized as the northernmost Buddhist temple in Europe. The course also passes the Yelagin Island pier, adorned with historic lion sculptures, which act as navigational markers for swimmers. Furthermore, a local memorial honors the 8th Division of minesweepers, who were tasked with clearing the Gulf of Finland of naval ordinance following the Siege of Leningrad, a massive operation completed by 1946. The combination of these sites and the city's unique maritime architecture provides a distinct backdrop for the event, which is held annually in the heart of the Neva delta.