Bobovac-Sunja Race
Crtom bojišnice - Along the frontline
This is a small event with a special character.
The 12.4km road race from the small village of Bobovac to the larger village of Sunja is held in commemoration of the Croatian War of Independence that lasted from 1991 to 1995.
The Sunja frontline played a crucial role in the war. Sunja, just 18km from the Bosnian border, was heavily destroyed, and 84 people lost their lives. Another eight are still missing.
Despite all the suffering in the past the atmosphere in the race is very good.
The race will start at 6pm in the lovely single-street village of Bobovac on the River Sava. The area is famous for its wooden village architecture and you will see many beautiful timber-built houses in Bobovac. All houses are on the same side of a single street.
The race follows a completely flat course through the lowland near the Sava which meanders through the area. You will pass an uncountable number of small plots of corn and vegetables.
The municipality of Sunja is very rural and thinly populated - just over 7000 people live in 40 villages. Agriculture and livestock-breeding are the main sources of income. The region also has a rich heritage of traditional music and dance.
The event is truly international. In 2008 the first man across the finish line was Đuro Kodžo from Bosnia (40:27) ahead of Hungarian Tamás Bogos and Zoran Žilić from Croatia. Slovene masters athlete Ida Šurbek (46:32) led the women home.
Country: Croatia
Venue: Sunja (Zagreb 80km, Novo Mesto 154km, Pécs 218km)
Date: 18 July 2009 (Saturday)
Distance: 12.4km
Start: 18.00 in Bobovac
Finish: Sunja
Entries: on the day until 16.30Entry fees: 40 HRK (ca. 5.50 EUR)
Race centre: in the park in the centre of Sunja in front of Općina Sunja (municipality building), Trg Kralja Tomislava 3, 44210 Sunja
You get: bus service to the start (at 17.00); finisher medal and T-Shirt; a warm meal
Prizes: first 10 men, first 5 women
Presentation: 20.00
Number of finishers 2008: 62
Details (in Croatian): Utrka Bobovac-Sunja
Tourist information (in English): Sunja Municipality Tourist Association