This highly anticipated Split Half Marathon will take place this weekend in the Dalmatian capital.
Today, a press conference was held at Split’s Gripe for 18th Split Half Marathon and the opening of the sports fair "Marathon City”, reports Index.hr on February 23, 2018.
The conference was attended by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Split Jelena Hrgović, County Head for Tourism and Maritime Affairs Stipe Čogelj, President of the Split Half Marathon Organizing Committee Kristijan Sindik, Serbian Olympian Ana Subotic, Dina Levačić and Croatian Olympians Marija Vrajić-Trošić and Matea Matošević-Hačić.
The 18th Split Half Marathon is a manifestation organized by Marathon Club 'Marjan', the largest and most famous marathon club in Dalmatia and one of the largest in the Republic of Croatia, of both sport and humanitarian character. This year's edition, from the 23rd to 25th February, is expected to see some 3500 participants from more than 40 countries around the world.
Welcoming the 18th Split Half Marathon was the President of the Split Half Marathon Organizing Committee Kristijan Sindik who argues that, despite the weather conditions, everything is ready for the highly anticipated spectacle. He added that Milan Bandić, the mayor of Zagreb who will take part in 5-kilometer humanitarian race, will arrive in Split on Sunday. He also added that the weather disrupted the arrival of Slovenian President Borut Pahor, which was supposed to be the big surprise of the race.
Dina Levačić, the first Croatian to cross La Manche, said she was honored to be part of the Split Half Marathon because of its humanitarian character.
Serbian Olympian Ana Subotić, one of the best marathon runners in the region in the last decade, took part in the Split Half Marathon two years ago and won third place. This year, she says, she hopes to be better placed. Subotić is also convinced that the sports spirit of the runners will overcome the bad weather and that everyone will enjoy the race together.
Croatian Olympian Marija Vrajić-Trošić, the woman who finished the most marathons in the Republic of Croatia, said she was happy to be part of the Split Half Marathon and added that she was delighted that people in Croatia were increasingly taking up running as a sport.
The young Croatian Olympian Matea Matošević-Hačić was thankful for the invite. She added that the poor weather should not affect the race and that everyone would enjoy the half marathon spectacle.
Deputy Mayor of Split, Jelena Hrgović, said Split's Half Marathon had become a significant sports story to be promoted. Hrgović invited all of the Split people to join the runners on the sidelines of the track for support.
The County Head for Tourism and Maritime Affairs Stipe Čogelj emphasized the tourist importance of the Split Half Marathon for the City of Split and Split-Dalmatia County because, at this time of year, it brings over 10,000 guests to the Dalmatian capital.
After the end of the press conference, Deputy Mayor of Split, Jelena Hrgović, declared the opening of the sports fair "Marathon City".
Translated from Index.hr
