Osijek Half Marathon
The city of Osijek is situated in the Slavonia region in the far north-eastern corner of Croatia, close to the borders with Hungary and Serbia, but quite a long way (approximately 280 kilometres) from Zagreb.
Nevertheless, year by year many runners from Zagreb and other parts of the country travel to the city on the banks of the River Drava to compete in the Osječki polumaraton, a flat and fast half marathon race.
Every year, the event welcomes a fair number of elite runners from neighbouring countries, notably from Hungary. Last year, Olympian Ida Kovacs from Veszprem won the women's race, and five Hungarian men finished among the top seven. The fastest male half marathoner was Roman Kejžar of Slovenia.
Long distance running doesn't seem to be the first sport of choice for women in Slavonia. Just 15% of last year's 153 finishers were ladies, and most of them came from far afield.
Country: Croatia
Venue (Map): Osijek
Date: 5 April 2009
Start and finish: Trg Ante Starčevića, Osijek