Malina Ivanova, also called the queen of long distances, is known to all running enthusiasts and we are happy that she has supported the Pleven Marathon from the very beginning. She started doing athletics in 1985, when she was a student at VMEI Sofia (today TU – Sofia). In her running career, she has 14 ultramarathons of 100 kilometers and about 80 of 42 km. In 2002, she set a record in the 100 km run in Podgorica (9 hours and 9 minutes). And in 2017, she won the First European Marathon for Veterans, held in Wroclaw, Poland. Every year, Malina participates in the Balkan Games for Veterans, where she wins medals for Bulgaria.
Malina has a PhD in the field of “Enrichment and Recycling of Raw Materials” at the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”, where she currently teaches. She also teaches students at the Henry Ford Polytechnic Institute. At the beginning of this year, her textbook on Materials Science and Technology was published.
She has two daughters.
In 2014, Malina participated for the first time in the Friendship Marathon in Pleven, where she not only entered, but also finished first in the 42 K distance with a time of 03:43:02. Out of all 10 Pleven marathons she took part in, she has won 3 times (2014, 2023 and the last time in 2024, with a time of 03:59:15).
The Pleven Marathon is close to Malina’s heart because it is held near her hometown. “I think the saying “Even walls help at home” is true,” says Malina and shares how she met many people at the refreshment points at the 10th anniversary edition of the Marathon in 2024.
“All these people inspired me, were sympathetic to my efforts, and some even ran a certain distance with me to show their support.”
This friendly atmosphere is one of the things Malina loves about the Pleven Marathon.
“You run long distances with good physical preparation and not so much with your legs as with your head. The most important thing is to consider how to distribute your strength,” says Malina. Of course, you can always start with shorter distances. “Every participation in a run is a challenge. It is great if you want to do something useful for yourself, something different in your everyday life,” she reflects, and supports anyone who has decided to start running.
In 2025 Malina plans to take part in several races – one ultramarathon, a race in Greece in April, where she will be the face of the event, and the Sofia Marathon in the fall. “Of course, I am looking forward to the 11th edition of the Pleven Marathon on May 18,” she says.
Personal archive of Malina Ivanova, who runs regardless of the weather conditions
