Split Marathon 2026

Welcome to the arena of running: when Emperor Diocletian meets... your calves! 🦵

The best gladiator battle takes place in February in the city of Split and bears the legendary name of "Split Marathon"! 🏃 If you want a race among Roman ruins with a view of the Adriatic, you've hit the jackpot! 🌊 Plus, in Croatia at this time, temperatures range from 5°C to 12°C 🌡️, ideal for running without turning into a salt statue like those in the Diocletian's Palace ☀️, and also to enjoy the Mediterranean climate without getting scorched! 🔥 Moreover, 5 races are on the menu of this Roman festivity: a marathon, a half marathon, a 10 km, a 5 km and even a 2 km family race to turn kids into real centurions! 👣 Ancient palaces listed by UNESCO, the Dalmatian coast, Marjan hill, the stadium of Hajduk Split (yes, you will literally run around a football stadium ⚽)... It's the legendary cocktail that will map out the course of your epic adventure! 😎

We know you're as curious as a cat in front of an Egyptian sphinx, so let's tell you more about these famous courses 🗺️...

The Split marathon is not a leisurely walk for tourists in flip-flops! 🩴 You will start on the West Coast (Západna obala) facing the sea, follow the coast like you're on a Roman digestive stroll 🫡, cross the legendary Poljud Stadium 🏟️ of Hajduk Split (you can shout "GOAAAAAL" if you still have breath at km 20 😂), climb the wooded Marjan hill to admire the view (and to remind you why you love flat terrain), detour through the ancient Roman town of Solin (the former Salona which once had 60,000 inhabitants, more populated than some marathons today!), and finish like an emperor on the Riva, right in front of the Diocletian's Palace! 🏰 A palace that's 1,700 years old and so well preserved that 3,000 people still live there! Imagine: you finish your marathon and find yourself in a UNESCO-listed monument where people enjoy their coffee in 4th century ruins 🤯. Diocletian, the emperor who loved gardening cabbages 🥬 after retirement (true story!), would be proud of you! Now, we're not going to lie: the course is AIMS certified but it's not as flat as a pancake 🥞. Translation: prepare your thighs because you'll be climbing 220 mD+! 📈 But remember, at each climb, you'll be rewarded with an incredible view of the Adriatic 🌅. Better than staring at a wall, right? Dreaming of beating your PB? 🕐 The half marathon might be more suited to chasing the times! With 12 refreshment points and 10 intermediate timing points, you'll be followed as if you were a gladiator star! 📡 And for the 10 km and 5 km, it's the perfect opportunity to explore Split without too much suffering 😅. Last thing to know: your result in the Split Marathon will earn you points in the global ranking of AbbottWMM 🏅 featuring the world's most renowned marathons (Tokyo Marathon, London Marathon) 👀.

As good news never comes alone, you can guess we have something more enjoyable to tell you. The 10 km race can be done as a team, and the marathon as a relay. No more excuses not to come with friends 👯. Running in Split is great, but running in Split with your loved ones or your running club mates is even better! 😎

During your Croatian stay, you'll love the visit! 🏛️ On the agenda: the Diocletian's Palace of course (have you seen Game of Thrones? That's where Daenerys hid her dragons in the basement! 🐉), the Peristyle with its columns from Egypt and its 3,500-year-old sphinx (older than your running coach 😜), the Cathedral of St. Domnius built as a mausoleum for the emperor (irony of history: it became a church while Diocletian persecuted Christians 😬), and the ruins of Salona a few kilometers away. You can climb to the top of the bell tower for a 360° view of Split 📸, explore the palace's underground cellars, stroll along the Riva sipping a Dalmatian coffee ☕, and especially swim in the Adriatic after the effort! 🏊 The Bačvice beach is right next to the palace, convenient for rinsing away cramps in the water! 🏖️ And if you really want to play emperor, stay until noon to see the changing of the Roman guard on the Peristyle: Croatian students dressed as centurions with Diocletian and his wife greeting you in Latin 🛡️. Regarding gastronomy, after 42 km, your stomach deserves a chef's feast! 🍽️ Do not miss the pašticada (beef stew with prunes and red wine, the killer traditional Dalmatian dish! 🍷), the grilled fish freshly caught at the fish market on the Riva 🐟, and the famous pršut dalmatinski (smoked prosciutto) served with Pag cheese and olives! If you're curious, try the crni rižot, a black squid ink risotto that will give you pirate teeth 🏴‍☠️. And finish in style with the fritule, small crispy doughnuts flavored with lemon that are best enjoyed hot! Beware of rakija (50° brandy) for digestion, it will warm up your insides! 🤪

True connoisseurs know that Split proclaims itself "the most beautiful city in the world" 🌍, just like its inhabitants. Only you can confirm their words... So, heading to Dalmatia? 🇭🇷