Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), Sunday 5 June 2016
Held in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations, the Plitvički maraton offers three road races — a 5km run, a half marathon and a full marathon.
Last year, approximately 1,000 runners took part in the 5k, 550 in the half marathon and 200 in the marathon.
The 42.2km marathon is a very scenic loop through dense forests, lovely meadows and remote villages in parts of the national park which tourists hardly ever visit. The route also runs along the shores of some of Plitvice's beautiful blue-green lakes.
Both the marathon and the half marathon routes are very challenging. The difference between the lowest and the highest point on the course is about 250 metres. The climbs are not steep but long.
Marathon runners can expect to finish at least ten minutes slower than on a flat course. In 2015, the fastest finishers were Joel Maina Mwangi of Kenya (2:32:16) and his compatriot Gladys Jepkurui Biwott (2:54:39).
Be aware that Plitvice is located in an area of extreme weather conditions. Usually, it's very warm in the region in early June but there were years when runners wore gloves, wollen hats, and water-resistant clothing.
Country: Croatia
Venue (Map): Plitvice (Zagreb 136km, Ljubljana 212km, Trieste 235km, Split 250km)
Date: 5 June 2016 (Sunday)
Race distance: 5km, 21.1km, 42.2km, 42.2km relay (10km+10km+10km+12.2km)
Start time: 9.00 (21km, 42km, relay), 9.10 (5km)
Time limit: 45 minutes (5km), 3 hours (21km), 6 hours (42km)
Start and finish: at the sports hall in the village of Mukinje, Plitvička jezera
Race centre: sports hall ŠRC Mukinje (Friday 15.00-20.00, Saturday 10.00-21.00, on the day 6.00-8.00)
Entries: online (up to 15 May 2016 for the 21km and 42km races, up to 31 May 2016 for the 5km race); no entries on the day
Entry limit: 1000 runners (5km), 600 runners (21km), 400 runners (42km), 100 relay teams
Entry fees (5km): € 12 (up to 31 May 2016)
Entry fees (21km): € 15/20/26 (up to 31 March/30 April/15 May 2016)
Entry fees (42km): € 20/26/40 (up to 31 March/30 April/15 May 2016)
You get (5km): pasta party (on Saturday), T-shirt, shoe bag, chip timing, refreshments on the course and at the finish, free entry to the national park
You get (21km, 42km, relay): pasta party (on Saturday), technical T-shirt, shoe bag, chip timing, refreshments on the course and at the finish, finisher medal, free entry to the national park, a meal after the race
Prizes (5km): to the first 3 men and women, to the first 3 male and female juniors
Prizes (21km): to the first 3 men and women, to the first 3 Croatian men and women, to the winners of each age group
Prizes (42km): to the first 5 men and women, to the first 5 Croatian men and women, to the winners of each age group
Number of finishers 2015: 958 (5km), 541 (21km), 200 (42km)
Event website: www.crorun.pro/hr/utrke/plitvicki-maraton
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.