April 27, 2022 - As part of the BlueRedGreen Lake project in Imotski, the 2nd Run for the Soul (road running competition) organized by the Triathlon Club Imotski will be held on May 14, 2022.

As part of the 2nd Run for the Soul competition in Imotski, there will be a 10 km competition, a 5 km competition, and a children's race, reports tportal.hr.

The basic idea is that children and parents perform together at one sporting event, both as competitors and as fans, which would be positive and affirmative for both of them. The organizers want both children and parents to be actively involved in a form of recreational sports, and to feel the joy of running and participating in a sporting event in their city.

Image: Run for the Soul/Facebook

The Run for the Soul is part of a project supported by the Faculty of Kinesiology and Economics in Split and the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides. The children's race takes place in cooperation with primary schools in the Imotski region. The ambassador of the race will be the celebrated Olympian Matea Parlov Koštro.

Image: Run for the Soul/Facebook

The start of the race at 10 km and 5 km is at 9:00 am, and the start of the children's race is at 11:00 am. The start and finish of all races are in the center of Imotski, in front of the main square (Stjepan Radić Street). The trail passes through the old town of Imotski, next to the football stadium Gospin Dolac (one of the 10 most beautiful stadiums in the world), and the Blue and Red Lakes (soon among the UNESCO list of geoparks).

Image: Run for the Soul/Facebook

Registration and details of the 10 km and 5 km races can be found in this LINK. More information can also be found at the official Facebook event and the official website of the Triathlon Club Imotski.

Applications for the children's race can be done in primary schools in the Imotski region.

For more on things to do, holiday homes, lakes, wines, and more about Imotski, be sure to check Total Croatia's complete travel guide HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

March 10th, 2022 - The trend originating from Sweden has been taking root in Istria over the last few years

An interesting event combining fitness and ecology will take place in Pula this weekend, on Sunday the 13th of March. A so-called plogging race was announced earlier today in the Šijana forest park, reports Glas Istre.

Plogging is a unique activity which originates from Sweden and involves picking up garbage while jogging outdoors - saving the planet, one run at a time. The trend gets its original name ‘plogga’ from a combination of two words, ‘jogga’ for jogging and ‘plockka up’ which translates to ‘picking up’ in Swedish. Apart from helping the environment, plogging is also believed to be very beneficial for physical health as it involves a lot of coordinated muscle activity.

A number of plogging races were held in southern Istria in 2019 and 2020, and the praiseworthy initiative now marches on with the upcoming Sunday race in Pula.

There’s no registration fee, and anyone interested can participate in one of two categories. The first is a competitive category for runners, and will have the racers jogging on the Orchid trail (Croatian: Orhideja), collecting waste within the marked area for 60 minutes.

The second is a family-friendly category, intended for everyone who wants to lend a helping hand and do some good while out on a nice walk in nature. Teams are required to have a minimum of two members and will have an hour to collect discarded waste on the Little Prince trail (Croatian: Mali princ), i.e. on the central plateau in Šijana.

All the participants will be provided with garbage bags and gloves, and they will also receive participation certificates. Those who collect the most discarded garbage during the race will also be presented with special prizes from the event’s sponsors.

The race was announced by Silvia Butiggnoni, the director of the Public Institution Natura Histrica, and Erik Lukšić of the ISTRun company.

February 27, 2022 - Despite harsh weather, the 2022 Split Marathon was successfully held in the Old Town, with very good results for the Croatian runners and where the African competitors returned triumphantly, after not being able to participate last year due to travel restrictions.

This Sunday the 22nd edition of the Split Marathon was held, and the winners have already been announced. In the morning, at the Split Riva, a crowd of runners and supporters gathered to start the traditional marathon, which this year had to face harsh weather with low temperatures and strong winds, but which in no way lowered the spirits of those present.

The 2022 Split Marathon, unlike last year, was held at the end of February instead of September. Let us remember that in the previous edition the participants enjoyed sunny and pleasant weather, but those who attended today can attest that the event was held in the same spirit. The race started at 9 o'clock, and a great wave of runners, led by the main contenders, started from the Split Riva.

This year's edition marked the return of runners from the African continent, who unfortunately were unable to participate in the 2021 marathon due to travel restrictions in place at the time. However, their return to Split in 2022 was triumphant, taking top results in all marathon categories.

In the half marathon, Josea Kimeli Kisorio from Kenya was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 1:04:33. Croatian Silvije Tomac came in fifth place, with a time of 1:10:37.

''I'm happy, of course. This was my first race in Split and an immediate victory. I will definitely be back next year. Yes, it was cold, especially in some places where there was a strong wind. But, all in all, it was possible to endure'', said Kisorio.

Among the women, also in the half marathon, it was Cavaline Nahimana from Burundi who came out on top with a time of 1:13:42.

Clementine Mukandanga, winner of the 2022 Split Marathon Women's Competition. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)

Clementine Mukandanga, meanwhile, won the Split marathon and placed seventh overall. The Rwandan runner won with a time of 2:37:05. She was followed by the Czech Pastorova, who came in second, and third, fourth and fifth place went to three Croatians: Jasmina Ilijaš, Ingrid Nikolesić, and Kimberly Pašalić, respectively.

It was a great day for Rwanda, as Mukandanga was not the only one to celebrate, but also her compatriot Jean Baptiste Simukeka, who won the 2022 Split Marathon with a time of 2:21:22, first overall.

''I am very pleased with the victory. And the weather was good in the end considering the cold'', Simukeka said shortly, still breathing well.

Jean Baptiste Simukeka came in first place in the 2022 Split Marathon. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)

The Rwandan, crowned winner at the 2022 Split Marathon, came ahead of Morocco's Redouan Nouini. The Croatian Ivan Dračar, the winner of the previous edition, came third with a time of 2:27:28, certifying a day with very good results for the Croatian runners. His compatriot Kristijan Rubinić came fifth. The ninth was Goran Murić (2:42:13), and the tenth was Dalibor Vujević (2:43:40).

''The feeling is phenomenal. Winning third place in such strong competition is no small thing. The conditions did not go my way due to the wind. Until the 19th kilometer, I kept the connection with the two leaders, but in the end, I kept the pace and finished third, Dračar said.

Ivan Dračar, who won the 2021 Split Marathon, came in third this year. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)

''This was my third marathon and third podium. Last year I won in Zagreb and Split, and now a third place here. All in all, I am very pleased. The atmosphere, too, was great.'', he added.

The official results of the 2022 Split Marathon are as follows:

Half marathon (absolute)

1. Josea Kimeli Kisorio (Kenya) - 1:04:33
2. Szemerei Levente (Hungary) - 1:04:39
3. Gert-Jan Wassink (Netherlands) - 1:07:35
4. Đuro Borbelj (Serbia) - 1:09: 20
5. Silvije Tomac (Croatia) - 1:10:37

Women's Half Marathon (Absolute)

1. Cavaline Nahimana (Burundi) - 1:13:42
2. Anja Fink (Slovenia) - 1:17:15
3. Gresa Bakraci (Kosovo) - 1:17:24
4. Špela Gonza (Slovenia) - 1:18:39
5. Jasmina Pitamic Army (Slovenia) - 1:20:04

Marathon (absolute)

1. Jean Baptiste Simukeka (Rwanda) - 2:21:22
2. Redouan Nouini (Morocco) - 2:25:01
3. Ivan Dracar (Croatia) - 2:27:28
4. Fredrik Kallstrom (Sweden) - 2:34:28
5 Kristijan Rubinić (Croatia) - 2:34:57

Marathon (women - absolute)

1. Clementine Mukandanga (Rwanda) - 2:37:05
2. Petra Pastorova (Czech Republic) - 2:54:01
3. Jasmina Ilijaš (Croatia) - 2:58:50
4. Ingrid Nikolesić (Croatia) - 3:06:00
5. Kimberly Pašalić (Croatia) - 3:10:20

The 2022 Split Marathon was, overall, a huge success returning to its original date in February, and the harsh weather didn't get in the way. A great example that shows that the city of Split has plenty of reasons, as in the sports field, to be recognized as a destination to visit during the winter.

Source: Slobodna Dalmacija

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

October 15, 2021 – With local seafood currently at its best and cooler temperatures inviting runners, hikers and cyclists to this spectacular location, Omiš in autumn is one of the best destinations of the season.

When temperatures cool on the Croatian coast, the telltale signs of tourism start to fade. Villages that were full of people in summer become very still. Only in the larger places does life go on unaffected.

The seaside city of Omiš is one such place. The charming Omiš Old Town streets hold their special atmosphere throughout the year. Autumn, in particular, is a favourite time for visitors to come.

Earthenware shades of rooftops in Omiš Old Town © Marc Rowlands

Arguably, this is the time of year when Omiš's famous and distinct cuisine is at its best. Omiš's special bounty of seafood comes from its position on the Cetina river. The best-tasting Mediterranean fish and shellfish love these conditions, where the freshwater meets the saltwater. And, in autumn, the prawns, scampi and calamari are at their biggest and best. The restaurants of Omiš offer fresh, seasonal specialties every day. Their tables are taken by relaxed visitors from all over the region, drawn to the city now the summertime rush has subsided.

Seafood is an autumn specialty at sister Omiš restaurants Puljiz and Bastion. © Marc Rowlands

But, in the hills above and behind Omiš, and along the long promenades of the Omiš riviera, different kinds of visitors can be found. The cooler temperatures of autumn are perfect for cycling, running, hiking and walking.

Starigrad Fortress, Omiš © Marc Rowlands

Sitting 262 metres above the city, the 15th century Starigrad Fortress is a mildly challenging hike. But, even older children can easily manage it. And the views from the top are incredibly rewarding. Autumn's cooling winds blow along the water surface, cleaning the vista. You can see so much detail on the islands opposite Omiš when the air quality is like this.

For those who prefer sport and recreation of a different kind, autumn in Omiš holds four of the city's most eagerly anticipated challenges

Omiš in Autumn: Dalmatia Ultra Trail

Omiš in Autumn © Dalmatia Ultra Trail

With between 60% and 80% of its entrants coming from overseas, Dalmatia Ultra Trail is among the most internationally famous of all Croatia's cross country runs. And for good reason. The scenery is spectacular. There are three route options, allowing the race to be accessible to runners of varying abilities.

Mountain Dut

Starting from the Roman town of Solin, just north of Split, Mountain Dut is the biggest challenge of this Dalmatia Ultra Trail. On a course with a total distance of 122 km, runners will ascend to Putalj and Klis, site of the famous fortress, crossing along the Dinaric Alps before dropping down to Gata in the Omiš hinterland. From there, they drop down into the spectacular Cetina river valley and run parallel to the river until Kostanje.

In the hills near the village of Gata, Ivan Meštrović's statue of Mila Gojsalić overlooks the Cetina river and Omiš © Marc Rowlands

Returning up into the hills to visit the traditional village of Zadvarje, the trail next takes runners down to beautiful Brela. Runners will pass by beautiful Brela beaches, then those of the Omiš riviera villages Pisak, Marušići, Mimice and Medići. Then, it's back up to the final stretch of hills, visiting the old village of Lokva Rogoznica on the way, before finally descending to Omiš.

Mountain Dut 2021 starts on Friday 15th October at 9pm from Solin. Trail runners have 32 hours to complete the course. Each finisher will be awarded with 5 ITRA qualification points.

Omiš in Autumn © Dalmatia Ultra Trail

Sea Dut

At 56km in length, Sea Dut offers a challenging trail set before the entire Makarska and Omiš riviera coastline. Starting in Makarska, runners rise up to the village of Kotišina, famous for its botanical gardens and castle. Thereafter, they ascend Biokovo mountain, the trail reaching almost 875 metres above sea level. They stay atop the hills all the way to Brela, where they drop down to the beach. Thereafter, they take the same course as Mountain Dut, past Pisak, Marušići, Mimice and Medići, up to Lokva Rogoznica, then down to Omiš.

Sea Dut 2021 starts on Saturday 16th October at 8am from Makarska. Trail runners have 15 hours to complete the course. Each finisher will be awarded with 3 ITRA qualification points.

Dalmatia Ultra Trail visits some of the most traditional and timeless sections of the Omiš riviera © Marc Rowlands

Ethno Dut

With a total distance of 18km, Ethno Dut is the most accessible of the Dalmatia Ultra Trails here. Starting in Dugi Rat, runners make a moderate ascent into the hills of just under 400 metres above sea level. They maintain roughly the same altitude for the entire trail, passing Jesenice and Tugare, before dropping down into Omiš.

Ethno Dut 2021 starts on Saturday 16th October at 1pm from Dugi Rat. Trail runners have 5 hours to complete the course. Each finisher will be awarded with 1 ITRA qualification point.

Omiš in Autumn: Omiš Half Marathon

Omiš in Autumn © Omiš Half Marathon

With a backdrop of mountains and the Cetina river, the half marathon in Omiš is perhaps Croatia's most spectacular. Where else can you run a virtually flat course with such scenery accompanying you?

Of course, the striking route is facilitated by following the Cetina river canyon. When doing so, runners pass some of the best rafting, kayaking, trekking, hiking and free-climbing locations in Croatia.

In 2021, the event again has two races - the half marathon and a recreational 6 kilometre race. Both take place within the Cetina river canyon.

© Omiš Half Marathon

The Omiš Half Marathon takes place on Saturday 23rd October 2021.

You can register here and entries will be accepted in person between 8 am - 9 am on the day of the race. For more details, check the event's Facebook page.

UEFA Futsal Champions League 2021

Zeleno Plavi © MNK Olmissum

With the tournament celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021, there's no better time for the Fifa accredited UEFA Futsal Champions League to be coming to Omiš. Better still, the hometown Futsal team, MNK Olmissum are the current national champions. They won both the cup and the league in the 2020/2021 season!

Champions! © MNK Olmissum

It's been two decades since a Croatian team reached the semi-finals of the tournament. Currently, MNK Olmissum are ranked within the top 16 of all European futsal clubs. To proceed in the competition, the hometown heroes will have to come top of their group. They face opponents Leo (Armenia), Diamant Linz (Austria) and KMF FON (Serbia). They will host the group at their home ground of Ribnjak, Omiš between October 26 and 31. The matches will be televised, but what better way to enjoy than in-person?

Omiš in Autumn: Dalmatian Trail League - Mosor Grebbening

© Marko Herman

The spectacular section of the Dinaric Alps that lies to the west of Omiš is known as Mosor. It starts near Klis, above Split, and runs to the Cetina river. Mosor Grebbening is a series of trail runs through this epic mountain terrain. In 2021, it is the 9th round of the famous Dalmatian Trail League.

The event contains a choice of three adult trails and one children's race. All of the races start or end in the village of Gata, in the Omiš hinterland.

© Ivo Pešić

Starting in Klis and finishing in Gata, Sivonja is the toughest trail. It is 37.50km in length and has a 2590m ascent. Runners have 12 hours to complete the course.

Still a tough ask, Tovar is the slightly easier choice. At 17km and with an ascent of 1270m, you're given 8 hours to complete the trail.

At 8 kilometres in length and with a 400 metre ascent, Pule is the most accessible race. It should take way less than the 4 hours allocated. The children's race is an 800 metre dash around Gata.

© Marko Herman

Mosor Grebbening takes place on Saturday 13 November 2021.

Registration for the races: exclusively via the online registration form here.

April 17, 2021 - Daddyhood Dadathlon is a celebration of the movement to create more opportunities for fathers to spend active time with their children.

Three major events will be held this year to promote an active role of parents with their children, thus sharing moments that will last in the memory of both. Daddyhood Dadathlon is a sports event created to inspire dads and kids of all ages to do a physical activity together.

The event has been organized by Daddyhood Europe, a non-profit foundation that seeks to break with the historical stereotypes created regarding the role of parents with their children.

Daddyhood Europe website

This year Daddyhood Dadathlon races will take place in three stages:

• April 17th to 24th: Running with kids (strollers allowed)
• June 20th to 27th: Cycling with kids (bike trailers or a child seat allowed)
• September 19th to 26th: Trekking with kids (carrier backpack allowed)

The 2021 Daddyhood Dadathlon edition will be held virtually and to allow flexibility to participants, each event will be open for participation during one whole week.

The races are conceived for individual teams (one father with his child/ren). It is possible to team up with other fathers and their children, to motivate each other and have even more fun, but each team member will have to complete the full distance of the race.

Participants can choose to take part in only one or two races, but to complete the full Daddyhood Dadathlon, they will need to compete in all three races/disciplines.

Daddyhood Europe website

Daddyhood Dadathlon consists of three different distance levels at which participants can compete, depending on their capabilities and ambitions:

• Bronze level – Running 3k, cycling 7k, hiking 2k
• Silver level – Running 7k, cycling 15k, hiking 5k
• Gold level – Running 15k, cycling 30k, hiking 10k

The main goal of Daddyhood Dadathlon is to complete the chosen level in each of the races while bonding and having fun. There will be a leader board available to track the times but the prizes will be awarded to the team who will make the most attractive and most inspiring pictures or videos and post them online, tagging @daddyhoodeurope #DaddyHoodDadathlon.

If you want to register and find more information about this year's races, you might do so on the Daddyhood Dadathlon site. You can also sign up and find more about the prizes on RaceID.

For more about lifestyle in Croatia, visit our dedicated TCN page.

March 16, 2021 – Croatian city of Ludbreg, also called the center of the world due to its geographical position, becomes the center of sports games in March as the Ludbreg Spring Outdoor Festival begins.

To encourage the development of Ludbreg into an outdoor excursion destination, the new sports festival – Welcome Spring – started last Saturday in this Croatian city, also known as the center of the world. The Ludbreg Spring festival began with an exciting kayak race.

On the river Bednja, which flows through the very center of Ludbreg, the forces were measured by different types of rowers in several categories. The exciting Watermark Kayak Race attracted curious citizens on Saturday morning, who watched the open championship of the Ludbreg city in kayaking on the 300 meters long route.

Ludbreg Tourist Board Facebook

In addition to the kayak race that started the Ludbreg Spring outdoor festival, the Ludbreg Tourist Board tried to bring kayaking closer to people by organizing a free kayak demonstration hour on the island Mladost in Ludbreg.

Ludbreg Tourist Board Facebook

Since this small town in Zagorje is already known for trail running and cycling, as well as for the beautiful nature that surrounds it, the Ludbreg Spring festival is an excellent meeting place for sports fans. To popularize the active outdoor lifestyle, Welcome Spring Festival will attract sports fans to Ludbreg with more sports competitions every weekend in March.

The schedule includes:

Centrum Mundi road running – March 21, 2021

On City Day, Ludbreg honors the entry fees for the already traditional road race "Centrum Mundi." This 10-kilometer race is officially scored for the Northwest Croatia Cup. In addition to the competition race, a 2.5 km long race for citizens will be organized.

Gravel cycling race – March 27, 2021

The beautiful and exciting but also demanding route of the Gravel race around Kalnik (the so-called "up-down" route) requires good preparation. Hence, its trail, as well as other helpful information, are available online. You can buy the tickets here.

Crazy Hill Trail running – March 28, 2021

The legendary Crazy Hill Trail race – now that it is official – will run on three tracks: green (10 km), blue (16 km), and red (34 km) so that runners of all profiles can find their place. You can register here.

Ludbreg Tourist Board

Welcome Spring festival is unique and intended for everyone, which is proved by the fact that there are two races for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. Namely, the road race for people with disabilities in wheelchairs will be held together with the Centrum Mundi road race with a route of 2.5 km, and the cycling race as part of the Gravel race with a route of 10 km.

In anticipation of spring, the positive and active energy of the Ludbreg landscape allows sports competitors and visitors to enjoy sporting events in this charming town. With its flat and hilly surroundings, the landscape of Ludbreg offers a multitude of opportunities for pre-season warm-ups and winter training testing.

Ludbreg Spring outdoor festival is here to encourage citizens to restart with sports activities. At the same time, for those who have diligently maintained their shape, it gives opportunities to show themselves in the best light.

For the latest news from Ludbreg, check out the dedicated TCN section.

The innovative SightRun application (app), provides navigation directions and an interesting ''story'' about the destination the runner is in via audio, and it's currently available in as many as eleven cities.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Native tim VL i PD writes on the 30th of August, 2019, everyone in love with running has some new challenges and added value in front of them with this healthy activity, thanks to the SightRun app. It was developed as part of the Startup Factory competition, and today, the app successfully brings together all lovers of this activity. Sandra Bortek, the founder of the initial idea and recreation enthusiast, reveals more.

How did you come up with the idea for developing such an application, are there any passionate runners on the SightRun team?

The idea came from our project Run Zagreb, which offers running tours of the City of Zagreb. We were all fans of running so we put together something we loved and tried to make it a project. When the 2016 Startup Factory Contest opened, we thought about what we'd enter with, and then it dawned on us; why would our racing tours not be available, even when our guides aren't? And so the idea of ​​an audio racing guide was born.

Describe briefly what makes SightRun specific...

SightRun is an application that allows the runner to tour the city without thinking about which route to run and what to see. The application also provides navigation instructions during the run, as well as interesting stories about the destination in which you're running, and the attractions that you'll pass.

Once a person puts their headphones in their ears, they no longer have to look at their mobile phone, and that's where they get the full experience of running in a new destination without the fear of getting lost or having to constantly look at a map and worry about what to do next. All of our tours are well-tested out, the content is tailored to the runner and the destination, and we record the audio content ourselves to give you the feeling of running with a local. And what's important is that there is no need to rush with SightRun, because the application tracks the pace of the runner, so you can walk if you want.

What has the feedback from the market about your idea been like, are there any people who need that much added value in order to decide to run?

Anyone who has tried the app out is delighted with the idea itself and in fact, the users' expectations are exceeded. The challenge is to introduce it to the sightrunning market, because it's one new niche for running. The app is designed for the use of runners who find themselves in a new destination, in order for them to know where to go and run around that destination. We're addressing runners, those who already enjoy this activity, and we're not like other running track applications. SightRun is a tourist product and it adds value to both the runner and to the destination itself.

The application has this pronounced tourist component, do tourists contact you when they come, and is the tour limited to Zagreb only? If so, are you planning on expanding to other cities, and if not, where else are you available?

SightRun is a tourist product, designed for foreign guests who don't miss out on their training even when they're on the road. We save them the time of not having to go and find the best route for running or trying to figure out what's worth seeing and what isn't in a destination. The SightRun application combines running and sightseeing.

It's possible to run with SightRun in eleven cities today: Zagreb, Opatija, Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Split, Šibenik, Omiš, Hvar in Croatia, and abroad, in Munich (Germany) and Graz (Austria). We already have eight new destinations planned, five of which will be launched by the end of the year. Along with the new destinations, we want to popularise continental destinations in Croatia as well.

How many languages ​​are available?

The application is entirely in English, while all tours are always done in English and Croatian, and in agreement with partners, we do tours in other languages. In Rovinj, for example, tours are available in both German and Italian.

You developed the idea as part of the Startup Factory competition, what did that experience mean for you and the team?

The experience is invaluable.

On the one hand, it helped us launch our startup, go through all the phases with our project, and maybe try things we might not have done before. Each of us on the team has many years of experience behind us, each in his own field, but I believe that in some ways, Startup Factory has also helped us in our personal development. There is also networking, meeting new people, socialising, workshops and conferences... I often say that there's no school that can replace this kind of experience, and I really think that everyone should at least try and not just say that something cannot be done without even trying.

Make sure to follow our dedicated business and Made in Croatia pages for much more.

As Goran Rihelj writes for HRTurizam on May 19, 2019, if we want to extend the tourist season, then we have to rely on diverse, authentic and quality content and offers, which do not depend solely on the sun, sea or swimming.

This is only logical, because if we leave the sun and the sea as the primary motive for arrivals, what else remains? 

Thus, we must ask the following questions: Why would someone come to Croatia when they cannot swim? What other content is there? What will work outside of the season? Why should tourists visit Croatia?

Most importantly, to inspire and motivate travelers, we have to think about new tourist products that can be offered to our guests; products that will be available throughout the year.

Running is just one of the active products Croatia can offer.

Namely, over 50 million people are regularly involved in running in the EU, and their annual consumption is estimated at 9.6 billion euros. Some see this as the potential for growth and development, while others may not, but one thing is for sure - running is just one of the rapidly growing trends, both in Europe and the world.

Thus, this specific segment was targeted by the team from SightRun, who points out that after cycling, running could become a new trademark of Croatia if it is done right. 

Promoting running in Croatia seems like a logical and natural conclusion because of its potential. Croatia boasts different types of terrain across a small area, a long coastline and islands, numerous racing events and outdoor festivals, superb and authentic gastronomy, top accommodation, good traffic connections, and a mostly pleasant climate all year long on the Adriatic.

Thus, the SightRun mobile application for running tourists enters a new tourist season with new destinations and exciting tours. The SightRun application combines running and sightseeing for tourists and is intended for those who do not give up their running habit when they are on the road or vacation, especially when they have less time for sightseeing tours. By using the SighRun app, runners can discover a city and visit its many attractions.

After Zagreb, Šibenik, Split, Pula, Opatija, Munich and Graz, the SightRun applications this season is enhanced by three new destinations - Rovinj, Omiš, and Hvar.

The SightRun App includes audio running tours that give navigational instructions and interesting location information while running. All the user has to do is pick their desired pace on the app, get to the starting point, puts on their headset, and hit play. The app uses GPS and follows the runner’s movements. The SightRun application is entirely free for the user and is available on Google Play and the App Store.

SightRun is an excellent tourist story, but it is just the beginning of branding destinations as ‘Runner Friendly’. 

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Ever been to beautiful Lošinj? If you're a lover of athletics, running and other forms of active tourism when on holiday, then this is the Croatian destination for you, with a newly certified Run Friendly hotel tailored to your needs to prove it.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 13th of May, 2019, Lošinj's Vitality Hotel Punta has been awarded a Run Friendly certificate, meaning that the hotel is tailored to accommodate runners as well as other active tourists.

The certification process is run by the Zagreb-based company Run Croatia, and Lošinj's Hotel Punta owned by the hotel company Lošinj Hotels & Villas is one of the few Croatian hotels that can boast of holding this certificate.

Lošinj's Vitality Hotel Punta has satisfied all of the necessary conditions to meet the standards of the process of certification to be declared a Run Friendly hotel and has been given the highest possible categorisation (three tennis shoes).

This means that all of this Lošinj hotel's visitors can enjoy a number of benefits as a supplement to the usual hotel offer within its Run Friendly package. This type of hotel is fully tailored to the needs of runners, and guests are entitled to the aforementioned Run Friendly package that includes a high quality running t-shirt, a medal as a reward for running the tracks around the hotel, a racetrack map, a variety of running tours for beginners all the way to those requiring advanced programs, healthy food and drinks at the mini bar, energy bars, late checkout opportunities, and special massage programs.

In addition to all the advantages, the island of Lošinj as a destination itself offers a number of attractive racing tracks for all running level abilities within a beautiful landscape with a sea view, numerous vistas and pretty coves.

"With the concept of a run-friendly hotel, we wish to provide our guests, especially those who prefer an active holiday, with additional convenience to spend an ideal active outdoor holidayin the perfect untouched nature outdoors. All recreants and runners staying in our hotel will find the ideal conditions and hotel treatment fully adapted to their lifestyle,'' said Rikardo Hesky, director of Jadranka hotels.

Because of its own special microclimate, Lošinj itself is an ideal place for sports activities with its clean, pure air which is additionally enriched with aromatic Mediterranean flora.

"By launching the Run Friendly hotel certification project, we were aiming to provide added value to hotels as well as to runners as we recognised the value of this international trend - an active lifestyle and active holidays. The Run Friendly package for hotels offers guests everything they need to run and a peaceful island location is yet another reason for them to spend their time on holiday actively and take a step forward for their psychological and physical health,'' stated Berislav Sokač from Run Croatia.

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