Split Maraton

— · Split, Croatia

The Split Marathon runs in February, when the Dalmatian coast empties of tourists and belongs to itself again: start and finish sit on the Riva waterfront, directly facing Diocletian's Palace, a Roman fortress nearly seventeen centuries old. The course loops twice through the suburbs and past the old Poljud stadium, dips into the ancient ruins of Salona and Vranjica, then returns to the waterfront, where the Adriatic's winter sun usually makes up for a cool breeze. It's not Europe's fastest or most scenic marathon, but arguably its calmest way to see Split without the summer crowds.