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NLB Ljubljana Marathon
18 October 2026 · Ljubljana, Slovenia
scenicbeginner ok
Distances
10K · 21.1K · 42K
The Ljubljana Marathon looks unassuming on paper — a flat loop through the center, along the Ljubljanica river's embankments, crossing the Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge — but the men's course record, 2:04:58 set by Sisay Lemma in 2018, tells a different story: this is one of Central Europe's fastest starts. The night before brings a free Barilla pasta party at the Stožice arena, and after the Congress Square finish, runners find soup, energy drinks, and fruit waiting. Some reviewers note the course is flat to the point of being a little boring — which is exactly what makes it good for a personal best.
Course records
Men
2:04:58
2018 · Sisay Lemma
Women
2:20:17
2024 · Joyce Chepkemoi Tele
Weather in October
The organizer's own historical data since 1996 shows morning starts at 5-12°C, warming to 13-19°C by afternoon; October is Ljubljana's rainiest month, and mornings are often foggy.
Starter pack 2025
- Bib with timing chip
- Sports backpack
- 'Lelosi' technical t-shirt (chosen at registration)
- Voucher for the Barilla pasta party
- Finisher medal + a second finisher t-shirt for marathoners
Reviewers specifically praise the backpack and medal as among the best race packs in the region.
Pacers & bib pickup
3:003:153:303:454:004:154:304:455:00
Bib pickup
Expo at Stožice Arena (2026: GR Ljubljana convention centre)
day before the race only
Bibs can only be collected one to three days before the race — there's no race-day pickup; anyone who hasn't completed the first 20km within 2h45m gross is redirected to the half-marathon finish.
Early bird until
30 June 2026
Course map
Route not added yet
What’s nearby
Walking
Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square — The pink church and statue of poet France Prešeren.
Ljubljana Castle — The hilltop castle above the old town, reachable by funicular.
30 minutes
Škofja Loka — A medieval town with a hilltop castle, 30-34 minutes away.
2 hours
Bled — The famous lake with its island church — actually about 40 minutes by car, closer than it seems.
Postojna Cave — One of Europe's largest karst caves, about 37 minutes by car.
Dinner before the race
Barilla pasta party, Stožice ArenaFree with the bib's QR code, no advance booking needed; no specific runner-recommended restaurant could be found.
After the finish
Soup, Enervit energy drinks and bars, cookies, and fruit at Congress Square; showers available at the nearby Tivoli swimming pool.
Reviews
April Brown / ambrown.ak (RaceRaves, first race)2025
Really flat... pasta dinner was free, the backpack was very nice, and full marathoners get a second finisher shirt on top. The medal was also pretty awesome.
Yanis Nanashi (RaceRaves, half marathon, first race)2022
Flat course which unfortunately is quite boring... marathon and half marathon runners start at 9am while 10K runners start at 10am, which leads to a very congested situation at the finish getting your bags back.
Peter Elmers (pelmers.com), half marathon2023
It had good crowd support, nice and wide roads, and pretty views of the mountains in the distance when the clouds clear — my one gripe is the half marathon route misses the iconic Triple Bridge, reserved for the full marathon.
Registration open
42.195