7th Rovinj Half Marathon "Popolana" 2011

The Rovinj Half Marathon is staged in one of the prettiest towns on the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Nevertheless, it's a small event with just about 100 runners in the half marathon and around 50 participants in the supporting 5K run.

Running is not a popular sport in Croatia's coastal regions, and the capital Zagreb is 250 kilometres away. Last year, less than 30 per cent of the half marathon finishers were Croats. Most participants came from neighbouring Slovenia and Italy.

Starting and finishing on Rovinj's main square, the race follows a multi-terrain course on roads and trails along the coast and through woodland and fields. The route consists of two loops, one to the north of Rovinj and one to the south.

In 2010, Paola Mariotti of Italy was the top half marathon finisher in a time of 1:20:05. First man across the line was Miha Rudl of Slovenia in 1:21:02.

Country: Croatia

Venue (Map): Rovinj (90km from Rijeka, 100km from Trieste, 175km from Ljubljana, 250km from Zagreb)

Date: 1 May 2011 (Sunday)

Start time: 11.00

Distance: 21.1km; 5km

Start and finish: on the main square (Trg Maršala Tita)

Entries: on the day (from 9.00) at the start

Entry fees (21km): 75 HRK (ca. 10 EUR); the entry fees go to charity

Entry fees (5km): donations appreciated

You get (21km): T-shirt, lunch after the race

Prizes (21km): prize money to the first 10 men and 5 women; trophies to the first 3 M/F; medals to the first 3 in each category

Award ceremony: 14.30

Number of finishers 2010: 101 (21km), 49 (5km)

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.