The 9th Subotica Half Marathon Brings a Record Number of Participants and Announces a Nighttime Spectacle for Its 10th Anniversary Edition
On Sunday, August 30, Subotica will once again come alive with the rhythm of running, sport, and positive energy as the Subotica Half Marathon takes place for the ninth time. One of the largest running events in the country, and a traditional opening event of the City Day celebrations, will bring together professional athletes, recreational runners, and enthusiasts of a healthy and active lifestyle from Serbia, the region, and numerous European and other countries around the world.
The organizers from the “Horizont” Association have prepared a rich program featuring the main 21-kilometre half marathon, 10K and 5K races, the traditional “Active Kids Run” for the youngest participants, as well as a crawling race for babies. The Tourist Organization of the City of Subotica and Palić Zoo have also made sure that all participants can experience Subotica in the best possible way, organizing guided tours of the city’s landmarks as well as visits to the zoo and its residents in the beautiful setting of its botanical gardens.
Interest in this year’s edition confirms that the Subotica Half Marathon has long outgrown its local boundaries. A total of 1,859 competitors have registered, while 1,585 registrations have already been finalized. The 21-kilometre half marathon will feature 491 competitors, the 10K race 513, and the 5K race 581 participants. The organizers are also expecting additional registrations ahead of the event. Registration will be available on Saturday, August 29, from 5 PM to 10 PM at the registration centre at Korzo 3, in the former Army Hall building. On-site registration will also be available on Sunday, race day, from 6 AM to 7:30 AM, after which the registration process will close.
The start and finish of the main races will traditionally be located in the very heart of the city, near City Hall, giving participants another opportunity to discover Subotica through its most recognizable streets, squares, parks, and historic buildings. The 10K and 21K races are scheduled to start at 8 AM, while the 5K race begins at 8:25 AM. The staggered starts were introduced to reduce congestion on the course and prevent situations in which participants might accidentally continue onto a longer route.
Igor Todorović, the frontman of the group Dr Iggy, will officially open the 9th Subotica Half Marathon. As a sign of support for the event, the popular singer will also take part in the 5K race, providing a special attraction for all runners.
This year’s route remains unchanged. The race begins near the National Theatre and continues past Jadran and Patria, through the part of the city dedicated to Ivan Sarić, past the City Library and along Braće Radić Street, continuing through Prozivka, Strossmayer Street, Matko Vuković Street, Victims of Fascism Square, and Petefi Sándor Street. Runners will pass by the Synagogue and enter Dudova Šuma via Marshal Tito Avenue before returning towards the city centre. One lap is ten kilometres long, while half marathon runners continue to a total distance of 21 kilometres. The combination of sport and architecture will provide a special experience, as participants run past numerous historic buildings and through some of the most beautiful parts of Subotica, turning the city’s streets into a major sporting stage.
This year, the organizers have introduced additional motivation for the top competitors. The current Subotica Half Marathon record stands at approximately one hour and 14 minutes, and a special prize has been prepared for anyone who manages to break it. The competitor who sets a new record will receive, at the organizers’ expense, the opportunity to participate in a race of their choice in Serbia or elsewhere in Europe. In this way, a result achieved in Subotica will not only represent a personal success, but also serve as a ticket to a new running experience.
A special part of the program is dedicated to children. The “Active Kids Run” starts at 9:30 AM, while registration and race pack collection will be available from 8 AM. The location remains the same as last year: the area between City Hall and the Music School. The youngest participants will be grouped according to age, and the children’s race distances will range from 150 to 500 metres. Races will be held separately for girls and boys to make it easier to organize the large number of participants.
A special place is traditionally reserved for babies who are not yet walking or running, and who will take part in a baby crawling race. This year, the little ones will not receive wristbands or other identifiers, but instead special stickers for each race that they can attach to their shirts. The organizers are especially asking parents to follow the timetable and movement rules around the course, as a large number of people in a relatively small area represents one of the biggest organizational challenges.
The Subotica Half Marathon will be more than just a sporting competition. A wide range of musical performances will be organized along the route, with runners accompanied by brass and jazz orchestras, bands, DJs, and other performers. As tradition dictates, a band will perform near the Artist Hotel on Braće Radić Street, with the program at that location organized by Satract. The Music School has also announced its participation, while music will be present at almost all refreshment stations.
In the start-finish zone, in the area in front of City Hall near McDonald’s, the popular Chill Zone will be set up, featuring a jazz band. Visitors and competitors can also look forward to pies, fruit, and refreshments. After runners cross the finish line, the fan zone for everyone who wants to cheer will be moved to the area between City Hall and the Blue Fountain, where a musical program will also be organized.
Safety and support for competitors remain among the organization’s top priorities. Medical teams and numerous refreshment stations will be positioned along the entire route. Water and fruit will be available at every station, while every second station will also provide wet sponges, as in previous years. Numerous sports associations and partners will take part in organizing the refreshment stations. “Trka Čačak” will sponsor the refreshment station near the Synagogue and the Museum, where a double station with fruit and water will be set up. Sremska Mitrovica and its half marathon will be represented near the Raichle Palace. Hero Gym will be located at the roundabout near Braće Radić Street, while the OK Spartak juniors will be positioned nearby in Prozivka. The OK Spartak seniors will be near the tennis courts in Dudova Šuma. The popular Subotica “Turtles” will be on Matko Vuković Street, while Studio Present will be at the beginning of the Radijalac promenade on Marshal Tito Avenue. A large number of volunteers will be involved in the organization to ensure that the entire race takes place safely and without interruptions.
On the day before the main races, August 29, the registration centre, open from 5 PM to 10 PM, will be more than just a place to collect race packs. A fair will also be organized where visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Subotica Half Marathon’s partner and friendly races. The organizers’ idea is to use this form of networking to connect cities and races from Serbia and the region and establish new partnerships. The result is the event’s growing international recognition, with Subotica set to welcome runners from more than 26 countries across Europe and the world this year. The traditional “Pasta Party” is also scheduled for Saturday, starting at 6 PM on Korzo, on the terrace of the registration centre.
This year’s edition also carries strong historical symbolism. The image of Ivan Sarić appears on the race shirt and medal, marking the 120th anniversary of the birth of the famous athlete. The medal also features a motif of City Hall, and the organizers have paid special attention to the details of this year’s award, which will remain a lasting memory for participants in the ninth Subotica Half Marathon. Sarić’s name on the half marathon’s equipment further connects Subotica’s sporting present with its rich sporting history.
All participants will receive race packs containing various gifts, while medals have been prepared for everyone who completes their race. The packs will include products and gifts from sponsors, including Pionir, Voda Voda, Satract, Gebi, and Maksimalijum supplements. Valuable prizes have been prepared for the overall winners. Capriolo is providing significantly more gifts than in previous years, most notably bicycles for first- and second-place finishers in all categories, for both men and women, as well as Skechers shirts. MediaGroup physiotherapists remain among the event’s sponsors, while Sava Osiguranje has once again provided support for all runners. BENU Pharmacy is also taking part in the organization of this year’s half marathon, with a large number of its own participants competing in the races.
It is important to note that from 7 AM to 11 AM, the city streets along the race route will be filled with participants instead of cars, while regular traffic will gradually be restored after the half marathon. Cara Dušana, Strossmayer, Rudićeva, Zmaj Jovina, Đure Đakovića, Trg Sinagoge, Marshal Tito Avenue, and Braće Radić streets will be completely closed to traffic, as well as the section of Maksima Gorkog Street from Zagrebačka Street to Braće Radić Street and part of Nade Dimić Street near the park in Prozivka. The temporary traffic suspension will affect the wider city centre, Prozivka, and Radijalac and will last from 7 AM to 12 noon. During the race, the Subotica branch of the public transport company “Trans-Jug” will introduce a special traffic regime, and the public will be informed in advance.
The organizers are asking citizens for patience and understanding, while at the same time inviting the people of Subotica to take to the streets, support and cheer for the competitors, and welcome them with smiles and words of encouragement, once again showing that Subotica is a city that knows how to be a true host.
This year, the Subotica Half Marathon also enjoys strong support from major races across Serbia and the region. The organizers have received messages from the Sarajevo Half Marathon, the Belgrade Marathon, and the Pula Marathon, while support has also come from Kraljevo, where a race is being held on the same day as the one in Subotica. Messages of support have also arrived from many other major races, confirming that the Subotica Half Marathon has become part of a broader regional running community.
Although the ninth edition has not even started yet, the organizers are already thinking about what comes next. The anniversary 10th Subotica Half Marathon will be held on August 28, 2027, and will introduce a completely different concept: a nighttime race envisioned as a major sporting spectacle, featuring special medals, shirts, and a musical program. Registration for the anniversary edition will open on the day of this year’s half marathon, August 30.
Until then, Subotica has another major sporting challenge ahead. On Sunday, its streets will become a stage for nearly 1,600 already finalized registrations, with the possibility of additional participants joining before registration closes. A large number of runners from Subotica, across Serbia, and from 26 countries in Europe and around the world will take part. Thousands of footsteps, music, cheering, smiles, and positive energy will transform this city in northern Serbia into a true capital of running for several hours. The Subotica Half Marathon thus stands out as an event that connects athletes and recreational runners, the city and its citizens, tradition and the modern spirit of sport—another proof that Subotica knows how to run together.
Photo: /Subotica Half Marathon