RUN CROATIA - Global Running Community in Zagreb #NYCMarathon Series
Link to the website: http://runcroatia.hr/
This year its been hectic and at this time of the year I ended up in Zagreb, Croatia for several reasons, but also I was selected to be one of the Social Media Ambassadors for the TCS New City Marathon. I have been here before for studying and working purposes. The city is very active and there is always something to do in the city and its surroundings and talking about running, there’s been a huge change and adapting the global running boom.
When I first arrived to Zagreb in 2009, it was very interesting, specially in the running matter. There were runners of course, but not as many as I see today. Running was not so popular by that time and there were not so many enthusiasts spreading out the word.
In 2011 I had the opportunity to run the Zagreb Marathon and if I compared that year with 2016, the change is incredible. By then there were couple of running teams/clubs. Now you can see different teams in virtually all over Croatia and so many located in the Zagreb area. Furthermore, Social Media has played a key factor into spreading the word and market different races all over Croatia.
One special thing Croatia has to offer to the word is the beautiful coastline, the charm of its small towns and the “go-back-on- time” feeling when you visit them. Such places are very well preserved and that’s what make them very attractive. Having this, if its mixed with the running “boom”, the results is a very nice landscape that runners can enjoy while running in Croatia.
The running environment is a very positive and social environment and there is when you can connect with fellow runners, and if talking about social media, this can be great and connect with even more runners wondering what else can be done in terms of running and getting the community involved. That was the way I get to meet @berro in Zagreb and actually I ran with him the Zagreb Half Marathon and help him to get a PR of 1hr 35m, I am always happy to help others reaching their goals.
Who is @berro ?
Berislav Sokač is an enthusiast and avid runner from Zagreb, Croatia, also a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder of “Run Croatia.”
”Run Croatia” was founded in 2015. in order to promote sport, healthy way of life and winning spirit – in cooperation with running communities, cities in Croatia and the rest of the world, sponsors and every other subject involved in organization of our running event which is interested in promoting their products and services on the highest level.”
Getting back into the background of the founder, @berro I was intrigued and happy that I found a World Marathon Major finisher in Croatia, and when saying a World Marathon Major finisher, it includes the six of them (NYC, Boston, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Berlin). But talking about which one was the most special, it turns that was the TCS New York City Marathon, and what a great time to celebrate, because we are just couple of weeks away of the big event for this 2016.
But back in 2010 @berro was running #nycmarathon, his very first marathon,
He ran #nycmarathon in 4hr 4min, a special timing, because that’s his son’s birthday(April, 4th). In order to make this event more special, he engraved the #nycmarathon medal with this representative time, 4:04h to be a lifetime reminder for his son that finishing a marathon is not easy. I represents a lot of dedication, hard work, discipline, which is important to have in every aspect of our lives. Since then, Berislav Sokač realized that NYC marathon is part of big six major events and imagine what he did?
He did it all six marathon majors in a span of two and half years.
He was 13th man in the world on WMM list.
Now ask yourselves, does coming #NYCmarathon is going to be your first one or it is part of your WMM journey?
