17th Varaždin Half Marathon 2011

Varaždin (Croatia), Sunday 18 September 2011

Varaždin Castle

Previously one of the top international half marathons in Croatia, the Varaždinski polumaraton has apparently lost some of its appeal. Less than 300 runners took part in last year's event (including the 5K run and the children's races), which is thirty per cent less than the year before.

And although the half marathon is listed in the international AIMS Race Calendar it seems that the event does not make much of an effort to recover from this setback. Once again, event details have been published only three weeks before race day.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting event, held in Croatia's best-preserved Baroque town. Varaždin is situated in the far north of Croatia, close to the borders with Slovenia and Hungary, and therefore the race usually has also a fair number of participants from neighbouring countries.

The start is in front of 'Stadion Sloboda', a few hundred metres north-east of the beautifully renovated old town centre. The finish line is on the athletics track in the stadium.

The route is certified and closed to traffic. Apart from one bridge (which runners have to cross twice) the course is very flat and fast. About half of the race is out-and-back along a quiet country lane. Competitors don't run through the historic town centre but they pass the castle and they run through various residential parts of Varaždin.

In 2010, the winners were Croatia's Dinjar Dražen (1:09:34) and Monika Nagy of Hungary (1:20:40).

Country: Croatia

Venue (Map): Stadion Sloboda, Varaždin (87km from Zagreb, 143km from Graz, 185km from Ljubljana, 276km from Budapest)

Date: 18 September 2011 (Sunday)

Distance: 21.1km (IAAF-certified), 5km; 400m/800m (children); 800m (wheelchairs)

Start time: 9.15 (children); 9.30 (wheelchairs); 10.00 (21km and 5km)

Start and finish: Stadion Sloboda, Ognjena Price 31, 42000 Varaždin

Entries: online; late entries on the day

Entry fees (21km): 80 HRK (until 12 Sep 2011); 100 HRK (until 18 Sep 2011)

Entry fees (5km): 30 HRK

Exchange rate: 100 HRK = ca. 13.40 EUR (Aug 2011)

Race centre: Stadion Sloboda (7.00-9.30)

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

You get (5km): T-shirt

Prizes (21km): prize money and product prizes to the first 6 M/F; category prizes (medals and product prizes); prizes are not cumulative; prize money for a new course record

Prizes (5km): trophies, medals, product prizes

Showers and changing facilities: yes

Award ceremony: 13.00

Number of finishers 2010: 191 (21km), 65 (5km), 33 children

Event website (in Croatian): www.marathon95.hr

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