April the 24th, 2025 – The Spartan World Championship – the world’s premier obstacle race spectacle – is returning to the Republic of Croatia, once again setting the stage in the Renaissance heart of Hvar.
This year’s edition promises an even greater challenge and excitement, culminating in the World Championship of the 100-meter OCR race, a discipline set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The inaugural edition of the event, held last year, attracted nearly 3,000 participants from over 36 countries to the town of Hvar. The global spectacle was also followed via live television broadcasts, replays, and video recaps shared across numerous digital media outlets in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Thanks to the support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, which is co-financing the event with €1.5 million, the Spartan World Championship will remain on the island of Hvar, where from October the 9th to the 12th, the seemingly impossible will come together: raw strength and the Spartan mentality, in a historic city nestled on the sunniest island of the Adriatic.
The 100-metre obstacle race, known as the most explosive and dynamic OCR discipline, will reach its pinnacle in Hvar this year – as it hosts the final of the Spartan 100m World Championships, which also serves as the grand finale of the World Obstacle 100m World Series. This global competition series is organised in cooperation with World Obstacle’s national federation members in over 100 countries across every sporting continent – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. This positions Hvar not only as the host of a prestigious event but as the epicentre of the global OCR elite, where the best of the best will be decided in just 100 metres.
This was announced at a press conference held on April the 24th at Hotel Zonar, with key speakers including Krešimir Šamija, Director of the Sports Directorate on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, Rikardo Novak, Mayor of Hvar, Iva Belaj Šantić, Director of Hvar’s Tourist Board, Stipe Čogelja, Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, Giles Chater, Chief Operating Officer of Spartan, Ivan Zrinušić, Spartan Croatia Operations Director, and Bojan Grbić, event ambassador and one of Croatia’s top OCR athletes.
“Last year, organising the event brought unique challenges – we were entering the unknown, laying the groundwork, establishing partnerships, and, in many ways, had to anticipate without prior local experience. Thanks to the incredible support from the city of Hvar, the Tourist Board, the local community, and the assistance of public institutions – police, mountain rescue, municipal services, emergency response units, nautical centre, firefighters, and sports associations – we delivered the best Spartan event in history, along with the inaugural 100-meter OCR race. This year, however, brings a different kind of pressure – everyone now knows what we can deliver, expectations are higher, and the standard we set is very ambitious. We aim to surpass ourselves again. We’re expecting over 3,500 participants from around the world – a notable increase. Our vision is steady growth, not just in numbers but in the quality of experience for every athlete and visitor,” said Ivan Zrinušić, Spartan Croatia Operations Director.
Elevating the event to the next level wouldn’t be possible without the continued support from the Croatian Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
“We’re proud that Croatia and Hvar are, for the second year in a row, hosting the Spartan World Championship in obstacle racing. These types of events are not only significant in the sporting world but also contribute greatly to our tourism goals – they promote an active lifestyle while strengthening Croatia’s global image as a top travel destination. That’s why the Government supports this championship as part of 47 major sporting events financed this year with nearly €18 million in total,” said Krešimir Šamija, Director of the Sports Directorate.
Spartan obstacle races, rooted in endurance and adaptability, date back to 2007, modeled after military training courses. In Hvar, the Spartan World Championship will again feature the 100m and Sprint (5km) disciplines, alongside Super (10km), Beast (21km), and the Kids Race, which attracted almost 200 children last year.
The importance of hosting Spartan again was emphasised by Stipe Čogelja, Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County:
“Following last year’s debut Spartan race, we’re thrilled to once again host this global event on our sunniest island. Its October timing aligns perfectly with our sustainable tourism strategy and the development of selective outdoor tourism. Through our platform Hidden Dalmatia, we support trail development and promotion. Major off-season events like this not only bring tourism benefits but also promote health and an active lifestyle.”
The Spartan event in Hvar is truly unique, intertwining every corner of the town. Participants run not only through narrow cobblestone streets but also across stunning nature and historic landmarks.
“Hvar, the oldest city in the Republic of Croatia, is an ideal setting for Spartan challenges – the mix of untouched nature, cultural heritage, and island energy creates the perfect synergy of sport and culture. Events like this stimulate the local economy, extend the tourist season, and inspire our youth toward sports and healthy living. To encourage community involvement, particularly among youth, we are building a publicly accessible obstacle course. Spartan on Hvar is more than just a race – it proves our city can host the world’s best and showcase the fusion of sport, history, heritage, and forward-thinking,” said Rikardo Novak, Mayor of Hvar.
Beyond exploring Hvar and pushing mental and physical boundaries, competitors will also race for a prize pool of €100,000, the largest in Spartan World Championship history – further confirming the seriousness of Hvar as host and elevating the level of the entire event.
“The return of the Spartan World Championship to Hvar is the result of strong government support and the city’s outstanding hospitality. This partnership has once again earned Hvar the status of a global OCR epicentre. Last year’s impact was remarkable – not just in sports, but economically and in a promotional sense. Overnight stays during the second week of October 2024 increased by 30% compared to 2023, with estimated direct visitor spending exceeding €6 million. The promotional value of Hvar and Croatia reached €14.5 million, thanks to 95 hours of global broadcast across 37 TV channels, reaching 778 million people worldwide,” said Spartan COO Giles Chater, adding: “These numbers confirm what we believe at Spartan – the location is not just a backdrop; it’s the heart and soul of the race. Hvar’s unique blend of terrain, beauty, and hospitality makes it the perfect home for our premier event of the year. It is with great pride that we announce the Spartan 10m World Championships in Hvar will also serve as the grand finale of the Federation Internationale De Sports D’Obstacles (World Obstacle) 100m World Series. Organiaed in collaboration with national OCR federations in over 100 countries, this series spans every sport continent – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Hvar will become the global hub of OCR competition, celebrating elite performance and the indomitable human spirit.”
Iva Belaj Šantić, Director of the Hvar Tourist Board, stated: “The Spartan World Championship has become more than just a sporting event – it’s something that brings the entire island together. The community’s hospitality and involvement have had a tangible impact across sectors – from full accommodations and increased restaurant revenues to the engagement of local producers and service providers. It’s a major boost to our economy and a great opportunity to solidify Hvar’s role as a destination for active and sports tourism. With today’s demand for authentic, dynamic experiences, Hvar’s natural beauty, infrastructure, and growing sports offerings position it perfectly for future growth. Through collaboration with local partners and international organisers like Spartan, we’re investing in year-round tourism and securing Hvar’s place on the global sports travel map.”
Bojan Grbić, event ambassador and top Croatian OCR athlete, commented on the event’s impact on the local scene: “Having the Spartan World Championship on Hvar for the second consecutive year is monumental for the entire Croatian OCR community, which started to form just a decade ago with only 300 enthusiasts. Spartan’s arrival popularised obstacle racing and gave our athletes a chance to compete alongside the world’s best – right at home. This event raises the bar in every way – in organisation, standards, and motivation. For young people considering OCR, this is the ultimate inspiration. The low age threshold of the kids’ race supports motor skill development early on and teaches that OCR is more than just a physical test – it’s a way of life. It builds character, resilience, and community. Every meter crossed, every obstacle conquered, reminds you that you’re capable of more than you imagined. If you’re looking for a sport that will test and transform you – OCR is the right choice.”
The organisers now invite all Croatians to register for one of the open-category Spartan races and test their endurance in Hvar from October the 9th to the 12th.
More information is available here.
