Hello, on May 10th 2015, you’ll be organizing the Dubrovnik International Half Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The inaugural Dubrovnik International Half Marathon will take place on Sunday morning May 10, 2015. The Event is located in Croatia, in one of the “must see” areas of the World.
Dubrovnik is rated in the top 15 to 20 World Tourist “must see” locations. And, Dubrovnik is the site of many of the areas where the popular Game of Thrones TV program is filmed.
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This will be the inaugural edition of the race. What motivated you to create the race?
The Event weekend is the brainchild of the Mayor of Dubrovnik after he visited Monterey, California, the Sister City to Dubrovnik. While in Monterey the Mayor had a chance to see the §race_link(1276) and believed a long distance run was needed in his community. The Mayor asked then §race_link(1276) Director Wally Kastner to help find a way to produce a Dubrovnik Event.
Wally, a long time faculty Member of the §race_link(1244) Event Director’s College (EDC) contacted Les Smith, founder of the EDC and the longtime Event Director of the Portland Marathon, and Mamie Wheeler, the Assistant Director and Medical Director. Les and Mamie also are the principles of an event consulting company known as Next Events Productions. The City of Dubrovnik then hired Next Events to create the new Dubrovnik events.
What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
Set in and around the old City State of Dubrovnik, Croatia, the course starts above the Old City. The route then goes along the edge of the clear and beautiful Adriatic Sea. Runners will see all the iconic sites of the area. The finish stretch goes through the Old City Gate and runs down along the famous Stradum to the main City square.
Have you planned festivities around the half marathon, other races ?
The Half Marathon will highlight a wonderful weekend of activities, including a one day Expo, a Saturday Kids Run and a Saturday 2K Run the Wall, an event which actually runs around the top of the old medieval City wall, including its many steps.
How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
Registration to this really special Half Marathon will be limited to 1000. The 2K Run the Wall event is limited to 100 participants. This will truly be a first class event and it will be special because it is a first for Dubrovnik. The scenery, the ambiance and beauty of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area is breathtaking.
In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Dubrovnik International Half Marathon?
This is a “bucket list Half,” a first class Half Marathon for runners and walkers (there is a 4 hour time limit). And it is a terrific place to start a great European excursion. Plus the weather in this part of the Mediterranean is mild and perfect. And, register early! It will sell out.
Interview with Mamie Wheeler from Next Events Productions.