2026 Ljubljana Marathon - Oct 18

2026 Ljubljana Marathon - Oct 18 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Ljubljana Marathon - Oct 18
CityLjubljana
Date2026-10-18 at 09:00
Field Size~2,869 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
Course speed
Fast course Speed index 0.92 — median of the last 5 winners' times against the global same-year median. Winner times track elite fields and prize money, so this reads the course as a proxy, not a pure measurement.
TimezoneEurope/Ljubljana
Official SiteMunicipality of Ljubljana / Timing Ljubljana Association

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature9.5°C / 49°F
Humidity86%
Wind8.5 km/h
Rain Chance33%
Typical ConditionsMid-October in Ljubljana is cool, damp, and ideal for PRs: highs near 16°C (61°F), morning lows around 7°C (45°F) at the 9:00 start, with 83% humidity and light winds under 10 km/h.

What to Prepare: Dress for a 7°C start that warms to mid-teens by the finish. Pack a throwaway top layer for the corral, run in shorts and a singlet or light long-sleeve, and bring a rain shell since October is one of Ljubljana's wettest months (35% chance of showers on race day).

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 8.5 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 4.8°C 9.7°C 14.3°C
Dew point 0.8°C 7.2°C 12.2°C
Wet-day chance: 33% Runnability: 75/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeFlat circular loop
Elevation Gain159m
TerrainSmooth tarmac on closed city streets, weaving through Ljubljana's car-free old town, riverside embankments along the Ljubljanica, and tree-lined boulevards past Tivoli Park before the cobble-free finish at Congress Square.
ProfileOne of Europe's flattest big-city marathons with only 159m of total elevation gain. The single loop starts on Slovenska cesta near Trg Ajdovscina and finishes ~500m away at Kongresni trg, with no significant climbs to break your rhythm, making it a genuine PR and Boston-qualifying course.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Ljubljana Marathon - Oct 18

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the 2026 Ljubljana Marathon?

Registration is open first-come, with no lottery or qualifying time, through the official portal at registration.ljubljanskimaraton.si. The standard full-marathon entry is EUR70 (June-August 2026), rising to EUR75 for late entries (Sept 1-15); an early-bird rate of EUR49 was offered earlier. Registration closes on September 15, 2026, and popular distances can sell out before then.

Is the Ljubljana Marathon course flat and fast?

Yes. With only 159m of total elevation gain across the full 42.195km, it is one of the flattest major marathons in Europe. The route is a single circular loop on closed roads with no meaningful climbs, which is why it consistently produces personal bests and fast finishing times.

Is the Ljubljana Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course holds a World Athletics Gold Label and is AIMS-certified, so a qualifying time run here counts toward Boston Marathon entry. The flat profile makes it a smart choice for runners chasing a BQ, but Boston has no automatic spots, so you must still beat the cutoff in the registration window.

What is the time limit for the Ljubljana Marathon?

The overall finish limit is 6 hours. There is also an intermediate cutoff: runners who have not completed the first lap (20km) within 2 hours 45 minutes (gross time) are redirected to the finish. That pace requirement is comfortable for most marathoners but rules out very slow walkers.

What should I wear for the Ljubljana Marathon?

Expect a cool, damp morning: the 9:00 start is typically around 7°C (45°F), warming to the mid-teens (about 16°C / 61°F) by midday. Shorts with a singlet or light long-sleeve work well; bring a throwaway layer for the corral and a packable rain shell, since October is one of Ljubljana's wettest months.

How big is the Ljubljana Marathon?

The full marathon is a relatively intimate field of roughly 2,800-2,900 finishers (about 2,869 in 2025). The weekend as a whole is far larger, drawing around 16,800 participants across all distances (10km, half, and marathon) in its record 2025 edition, so race-day energy is big-event without the full-marathon crowding.

When is the Ljubljana Marathon and what time does it start?

The 30th edition is on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with a 9:00 local start (CEST). The Garmin 10km is held the day before on Saturday, October 17. The full and half marathons run on Sunday morning from the city center.

Where can I find the Ljubljana Marathon results?

Live tracking and official results are published on the event website (ljubljanskimaraton.si) and via the timing partner. As a World Athletics Gold Label race with chip timing, splits and certificates are posted online within hours of finishing.

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