According to research, 42% of travellers are prioritising health or wellness trips. And it looks like they’re not joking about swapping sangria for Strava, as fitness-related travel, such as running holidays, is booming. In 2020, the fitness-related travel market was valued at $735.8 billion and is now projected to reach $1,172.6 billion by 2030.
Want to (box) jump on the bandwagon? Then there’s no better place to head to than Hvar, Croatia – home to extreme Spartan events such as the 2024 sprint and 100m race, as well as breathtakingly unique terrain and year-round pleasant weather.
Race like a warrior
This October on the stunning Croatian island, a host of beastly races will take place, where you’ll pound along rocky shores, dart through ancient city streets, and even take a dip in the refreshing Adriatic Sea to overcome floating obstacles. This is the inaugural Spartan Sprint 5k and 100m, which welcomes novices and seasoned pros alike.
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If you’re an overachiever, why not go for the full trifecta and take on the Sprint, Super 5k and Beast 21k to earn a haul of bling that’ll push your return baggage allowance over the 23kg limit.
As you scramble up to Hvar’s iconic fortress, you’ll be treated to views that’ll have you gasping – and not just from the epic climb. Crystal-clear waters, sun-drenched beaches, and enough history to fill a museum await – Hvar is a city that will put you through hell with the visuals of heaven.
And with a prize pot of $100,000 (approximately £76,000) across the 100m and Sprint Pro Championship heats, this event is poised to attract the very best athletes from across the globe.
Up for pushing your limits in one of the most beautiful parts of the world? Then sign up here.
Holiday like a warrior
To paraphrase the iconic line from Kubrick’s The Shining, ‘All running and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. So once your race is done, it’s time to take in the sights of Hvar.
The Pakleni Islands in the Adriatic, just off the coast of Hvar, are a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The largest and most visited, Sveti Klement, boasts three idyllic villages and numerous hidden coves. Marinkovac is famous for its party beaches, while Sveti Jerolim has been a haven for naturists since the 1960s.
The islands are a treasure trove of secluded pebble beaches, and lush, scented pine forests. Accessible by taxi boat or kayak from Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands offer a perfect escape for swimming, snorkelling, diving or simply basking in the unspoiled Mediterranean beauty.
Looking for a tad more culture? Take a tour around Grapčeva cave, nestled in the southern slopes of Hvar Island. Situated near the abandoned shepherd’s village of Humac, it's a site of immense archaeological significance that offers a fascinating glimpse into the Neolithic period around 4000BC.
The cave consists of two chambers: a small entrance chamber and a larger inner chamber adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Archaeological findings inside, from intricately decorated ceramic vessels and stone tools to animal bones and even human remains, provide insights into the lives of Hvar’s earliest inhabitants.
You, however, are not a caveman. Instead of a dank cavern, you will need a lavish place to rest your weary bones, so it’s a good thing that Spartan contestants can book a series of luxurious hotels with a 25% discount from this list.
Recover like a warrior
While the Spartan race will push you to your limits, Hvar’s natural beauty beckons for further exploration by foot, as the island boasts an array of scenic trails that cater to all levels of runners. From the coastal path between Hvar Town and Milna, offering breathtaking sea views, to the challenging ascent to Španjola Fortress rewarding you with panoramic vistas, there’s a 5k recovery route for every preference.
History buffs will relish Napoleon’s Road and its fragrant lavender fields, or the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain, with its ancient Greek agricultural landscape. For those wanting to continue the ethos of ‘no pain, no gain’, the path from Sveta Nedelja to Ivan Dolac provides a gruelling but spectacular southern coastal run.
Whether you’re warming up, cooling down or continuing to chase the runner’s high, Hvar offers an abundance of trails that perfectly blend challenge and natural splendour, ensuring you leave the city not just with blisters but memories that will linger long after the adrenaline has worn off.
In more poetic terms: arrive a runner, leave a Spartan.
Hvar, Croatia hosts the inaugural Spartan Championship for Sprint 5k and 10om this 11-13 October: the 100m World Championship runs October 11-12, while the Sprint 5k World Championship is on 13 October. Additional events include Beast 21k (12 October), Super 10k (13 October), and kids’ races (11 October). Runner’s World readers can get 30% off their place using the code RUNNERSWORLD30.
