Croatia veterans ultramarathon 2026

In late July 2026, 64‑year‑old Branko Šubić announced the launch of a five‑stage, 210‑kilometre ultramarathon that will run from Žabnik near the Slovenian border to his hometown of Petrinja between 2 and 6 August. The race, organized by Šubić himself, is intended to honour Croatian veterans of the Homeland War and will culminate on Petrinja’s Liberation Day.

The initiative, part of Šubić’s decade‑long “Branko Šubić for veterans” project, has previously linked Petrinja with other war‑significant sites such as Vukovar, Knin, Ilok, Savudrija, Prevlaka and Dubrovnik. Over the past ten years Šubić has covered more than 1,460 km across the country, visiting dozens of towns and villages.

The ultramarathon enjoys high‑level patronage, including President Zoran Milanović, the Ministry of Veterans, the Croatian Olympic Committee and various sports clubs. The final stage will pass through the capital Zagreb, multiple counties, and key memorial locations before ending in Velika Gorina on the national Day of Victory and gratitude. Local officials, including Velika Gorica’s mayor, have expressed support and wish Šubić success in completing the challenge.