3rd Istrian Marathon 2016
Portorož (Slovenia), Sunday 10 April 2016
Held on Istria, a peninsula in the northern Adriatic Sea, the Istrski maraton has quickly become one of Slovenia's most popular running events.
Three race distances are available — an 11.5km "recreational run", a 21.1km half marathon and a 42.2km marathon.
Early entries are recommended. The total entry limit has been set at 4,000 runners, and the bibs may sell out well before race day.
All three routes are very hilly and immensely scenic as they take the runners not only along the best part of Slovenia's 47km-long coast but also into its strikingly beautiful hinterland.
The route:
In 2016, the marathon will begin and end in the beach resort of Portorož. At first, participants will run along the Parenzana (a disused railway track which has been converted into a cycleway) through olive groves, orchards, vineyards and former railway tunnels to the fishing village of Izola.
Then they will run along the coast to the port of Koper, around Koper's Old Town, back to Izola, along the Parenzana to the saltpans of Strunjan, and finally through the picturesque old town of Piran. The time limit to finish the marathon is six hours.
The 11.5km run will also begin and end in Portorož. The route will take in the Parenzana, Strunjan and Piran.
The half marathon will be a point-to-point race from Koper to Portorož. The route will run through Izola, along the Parenzana, and through Strunjan and Piran.
The Istrski maraton is a lovely event that features Mediterranean hospitality, cuisine and music. There is no rich prize fund to attract elite runners. Instead, all efforts go into making it a memorable day for all participants. We have hardly ever seen as many cheerful race marshals and helpers along the course as in this marathon.
In 2015, Robert Radojković of Croatia, pictured above, won the marathon in a time of 2:39:42. Neža Mravlje of Slovenia was the first lady across the line (2:52:46).
Race information: 3. Istrski maraton 2016
Country: Slovenia
Venue (Map): Portorož (Trieste 38km, Rijeka 94km, Ljubljana 118km)
Date: 10 April 2016 (Sunday)
Start (42.2km): at 10.00 in Portorož (near the rose garden)
Start (11.5km): at 10.30 in Portorož (near the rose garden)
Start (21.1km): at 11.00 in Koper (at the Banka Koper headquarters on Pristaniška ulica)
Finish (all races): in Portorož
Race centre: Avditorij Portorož
Entries: online (up to 6 April 2016); late entries on the day
Entry limit: 1500 runners (11.5km), 2000 runners (21km), 500 runners (42km)
Entry fees: € 27/32/40/50 (up to 15 January/1 March/31 March/10 April 2015)
The entry fees are the same for all three races.
Timekeeping: bib chip timing (included in the entry fees)
You get: technical T-shirt, a voucher for a meal, snacks and drinks on the course, finisher medal
Prizes: trophies to the first 3 M/F; medals to the first 3 in each category
Number of finishers 2015: 1074 (10km), 1560 (21km), 345 (42km)
Event website (in Slovene, English and Italian):
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page! Please visit the official event website to verify the above information.