About marathon
Collection of starting numbers at Trg svobode in Maribor:
• on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 7:30 a.m. onwards
Start: June 17th at 9:00 a.m
The marathon unites all cycling lovers for who pedal pushing is the way of life and who like to admire the beauties of our homeland while riding their bike. It gives them the opportunity to exercise, to go on a trip and hang out with the like-minded. Adults can motivate and set an example to young cyclist who participate in such recreational event for the first time.
Introdcution .
This year Cycling Society Branik Maribor is organizing its 44nd cycling marathon Around Pohorje in a row.
First marathon around Pohorje was the idea of Lojze Fajdiga, the former president of the Cycling club Branik, and took place on 24 June 1979. It was dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers of Pohorje Battalion. Organizers decided to stay devoted to that mission and also to continue to carry out the event at the end of June. Since the Slovenian declaration of independence the marathon is also dedicated to the Statehood Day.
The marathon unites all cycling lovers for who pedal pushing is the way of life and who like to admire the beauties of our homeland while riding their bike. It gives them the opportunity to exercise, to go on a trip and hang out with the like-minded. Adults can motivate and set an example to young cyclists who participate in such recreational event for the first time. The winners are all participants who reach the finishing line in time and are satisfied with their achievement. We do our best to make this cycling event enjoyable for all participants.
Ride your bike – say YES to clean environment and healthy body!
HISTORY.
In an interview for the newspaper Večer, published on 26th June 2015, Lojze Fajdiga explained that he, as an enthusiastic recreational cyclist, took part in the 1978 cycling marathon from Kokrica near Kranj to Dražgoše, where the cyclists visited a memorial to the victims of World War II. This is where he came up with the idea of organising a similar marathon in Maribor. In order to realise the idea as soon as possible, he gathered some co-workers and friends and they soon began with the preparations for the first marathon, hoping it would attract many recreational cyclists.
The first cycling marathon around Pohorje was 150 kilometres long and took place on 24th June 1979, making it the oldest recreational event in Slovenia. Approximately 1400 cyclists from all over Slovenia took part in it. Each participant has received a special commemorative medal, designed by the Slovenian academic sculptor Slavko Tihec. Over the years, the interest in recreational cycling grew and in 1982 a record number (2654) of cyclists took part in the marathon. The interest was partly generated by numerous cycling sections, organised in many companies.