September 20, 2018 – The island of Hvar’s attempts to extend its season and increase its attraction as an adrenaline destination continue with the arrival of a new event for the island this October – Mountain Madness Hvar.
And so the trend continues…
Known for its sun, beaches, nightlife and UNESCO heritage, Hvar has been trying to expand its tourism credientials in recent years in new directions. Working in close partnerhip with leading hotel group, Suncani Hvar Hotels, the island’s tourism has succeeded in attracting an increasing number of sporting events in the shoulder and offseason, thereby attracting a more active type of tourist out of the peak season. The island’s most nobable ‘coup’ was last December with the arrival of leading cycling team, Bahrain Merida, whose 75-strong crew moved into Suncani’s Pharos bay hill hotel for their winter base, while conducting their 10-day winter training on the island’s challenging roads.
The island is already well-known to international swimmers, for it has hosted one of the world’s tough swims for more than 40 years – the 16km Faros Marathon open sea race from the harbour in Stari Grad to the tip of the Kabal Peninsula and back, a race which regularly attracts world champions and Olympic medal winners. In recent years, several other events have been added to the Hvar sporting calendar, including an annual half marathon, the presigious Otillo Swim Run race, and various sailing regattas.
After being involved in successfully designing the first Hvar Wine Run in April 2018, Suncani Hvar Hotels and parnters took a step further with adding another race event this autumn – Mountain Madness Hvar.
Mountain Madness is a a race designed to test strength, endurance, but also to challenge skills, speed, and ability to overcome various obstacles on a 7km long track, regardless of weather conditions. The race is suitable for participants of all ages and also for dogs!
Mountain Madness originated in Croatia in Ravna Gora, Gorski Kotar, where is has been held for four years, before moving to Zagreb for the first time for the Medvenica Outdoor Festival ealier this month. The Mountain Madness Hvar event, which will take place on October 6th, is the only the sixth ever to take place in Croatia, and the first on a Croatian island.
‘The Sport of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR, Mud Runs, and Adventure Racing) has been the fastest growing participatory sport for numerous year in the UK and the US, and we are very happy to have found a partner in Suncani Hvar who recognizes trends in sports tourism with the aim to create a new offer and attract new guests’, said event organisor Iva Hafner.
(Just one of the views on offer – Hvar and the Pakleni Islands from the Spanish Fortress)
The race itself begins at 10:30 on Saturday October 6 from the main square in Hvar Town, with a circuitous route much more demanding than your average race. Take a look at what is in store from one of the races in Gorki Kotar, below.
To sign up for the race, click here, and to book accommodation at special rates in partnership with Suncani Hvar Hotels, visit their website.
