Ljubljana, Slovenia 13 Jun – 15 Jun 2025 Class UGF – UCI Gran Fondo World Series

Website https://fran j a.org/en/ and https://www.instagram.com/maratonfranja_btc_city/

Maraton Franja BTC City is a highly esteemed cycling event with a rich history, known as the most massive cycling event in Slovenia and one of the largest for recreational and amateur cyclists globally.

Here’s a breakdown of its history:

Inception (1982): The first Marathon Franja was organized on July 22, 1982, under the guidance of Zvone Zanoškar and on the initiative of Tone Fornezzi-Tof. The initial start and finish were at the Police School in Tacen.
Move to BTC City (2005): The start and finish lines were moved to BTC City, a major commercial area in Ljubljana. This year also saw the introduction of the Franja Medio Fondo Marathon.
International Recognition:
- 2010: Marathon Franja became part of the GOLDEN BIKE series, which at the time featured 8 of the most prestigious marathons in the world.
- 2012: Franja officially joined the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, a prestigious series that today includes 31 marathons from around the world.
Expansion of Routes and Events:
- 2018: The “Barjanka” was introduced, a new 83 km route on gravel roads along the Ljubljansko Barje (Ljubljana Marshes), marking the premiere of a new tourist and sports event.
Resilience during challenges (2020): Maraton Franja was notably the only marathon held in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Milestone (2021): The event celebrated its 40th anniversary as Marathon Franja BTC City.

Key Aspects of Maraton Franja BTC City:

Routes: The event typically offers multiple distances, including the main “Veliki Maraton Franja BTC City” (Grand Marathon Franja BTC City), often around 156-157 km, and the “Triglav Mali Maraton Franja” (Small Marathon Franja), around 97-100 km. There are also family and kids’ marathons, as well as time trials and MTB challenges. The routes generally start and finish in Ljubljana, winding through diverse terrain, including climbs and descents.
Impact: Over the years, Maraton Franja BTC City has attracted over 150,000 officially registered cyclists from more than 80 countries. It draws large crowds of spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Connection to Hospital Franja: The name “Franja” is derived from the historic secret military hospital Franja, a testament to the region’s history during World War II. Local protests and the marathon’s influence even contributed to the asphalt paving of a historically significant section of road.
Community and Inclusivity: The event emphasizes connecting good people and partners, bringing together different generations, professional and recreational athletes, and fans, fostering a love for sports and a sense of freedom.

Gran Fondo