The green heart of Croatia, Krapina-Zagorje County, will become the national capital of sport and endurance this Sunday, June 29, 2025. After a three-year hiatus, with great anticipation, the TRIATHLON ZAGORJE 2025 is returning, an event that will also be the Croatian Open Super Sprint Triathlon Championship. Two picturesque gems of Zagorje, Gornja Stubica and Bedekovčina, are joining forces as hosts of this sporting spectacle that combines natural beauty, rich history, and incredible sporting passion. Competitors and visitors will have the opportunity to experience a unique blend of adrenaline and traditional Zagorje hospitality, and for those planning to stay longer, this is an ideal opportunity to explore all that the region has to offer and find the perfect accommodation in Gornja Stubica or the surrounding area.

An epic battle for the title of national champions

The central event of the day is certainly the main race for the Croatian Open Championship, which will bring together licensed male and female triathletes from all over the country, as well as international competitors. The battle for the prestigious titles of national champions will be held in the junior and senior categories, both individually and in teams. The course is a true test of skill and endurance, designed to bring out the maximum from every athlete. The race begins at the idyllic Bedekovčina Lakes, also known as "Bajeri", where competitors will have to overcome a 375-meter swimming section. These artificial lakes, created by the excavation of clay for a former brick factory, are now an ecological oasis and a popular gathering place, and their calm water will provide the perfect stage for the first segment of the race. The men's elite start is scheduled for 1:15 PM, while the women will start shortly after, at 1:30 PM. After swimming, the athletes get on their bikes and set off on a demanding, undulating section 12.8 kilometers long that connects Bedekovčina and Gornja Stubica, passing through picturesque Zagorje villages such as Poznanovec, Dubovec, and Samci. The final segment, a 2.5-kilometer run, takes place in the very heart of Gornja Stubica, with the finish line in the Rudolf Perešin Memorial Park, where thunderous support from the audience is expected.

Tradition, passion, and the hunt for records

TRIATHLON ZAGORJE is not just a one-day event; it is a story with deep roots reaching back to 2002, when the first race was held. The first winners to be written into the historical annals were Goran Modrušan from the Pula Triathlon Club and Kristinka Vinković from the Zagreb Triathlon Club. More than two decades later, the race has become an unmissable point in the calendar of the Croatian Triathlon Federation, attracting an increasing number of athletes. With the return of the race after a break, special attention will be focused on the course records. The current rulers are Silvije Tomac (TK Maksimir), who set an impressive men's time of 34 minutes and 58 seconds in 2021, and Nika Rimaj (TK Petar Zrinski), whose women's record from the same year is 40 minutes and 27 seconds. The question arises whether any of this year's favorites can surpass these results and write a new page in the history of Zagorje triathlon.

Sport accessible to everyone: from kindergarteners to recreational athletes

The organizers from the Rudolf Perešin Triathlon Club have made sure that this sports day is filled with activities for all generations and fitness levels. The goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle and involve the entire community, so a rich program of promotional races has been prepared. The youngest will be able to take their first sporting steps in children's races on distances from 100 to 800 meters, intended for preschoolers and elementary school students. For those a little older, there is an aquathlon for beginners (100 m swimming and 500 m running) for children born between 2014 and 2017, as well as a more challenging aquathlon for cadets (375 m swimming and 1.4 km running) for the 2010 to 2013 age group. Recreational athletes eager for a real triathlon experience can try their hand at the super sprint race for recreational athletes, individually or in relays, while for all those who want to feel the atmosphere of the competition, but also offer support, a citizens' race of 2.5 kilometers is also organized.

Experience Zagorje: A weekend filled with music, culture, and entertainment

Zagorje offers much more than sport this weekend. The entire region is pulsating with life, and Gornja Stubica and Bedekovčina are transforming into stages for top-notch entertainment. For all visitors and competitors who decide to spend the entire weekend in this area, we recommend that you secure your accommodation in Bedekovčina or Gornja Stubica in time. In Bedekovčina on Friday, June 27, a concert by the popular group Cambi awaits you, while on Saturday, June 28, the music diva Vanna will bring the atmosphere to a fever pitch. In parallel, Gornja Stubica is hosting the large "CoolParkFest", which runs from June 27 to July 6. During the triathlon weekend, the program includes:

• Friday, June 27 (9:00 PM): Concert "WHEN VOICES BECOME A STORY" on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of ŽVA Fiola, with guests such as ŽVS Kajda, TS Savski valovi, and Rajko Suhodolčan.


• Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29: International Festival of Tamburica and Folklore organized by KUD Matija Gubec. On Saturday from 10 AM, the 17th Art Colony will be held, and at 8 PM, the 16th International Folklore Festival. Sunday is reserved for the 21st Tamburica Evening, starting at 7 PM.

This is also an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage. Don't miss visiting the imposing Monument to Matija Gubec, a witness to the famous Peasants' Revolt, Gubec's Linden Tree, a protected natural monument, and the Rudolf Perešin Memorial Park, dedicated to the hero of the Homeland War. Nearby are also the Stubičke Toplice for relaxation and numerous wine roads and restaurants with authentic gastronomic offerings.

Final registrations and important traffic information

The organizers from TK Rudolf Perešin report that this is the last week for online registrations, and the number of 190 registered competitors already promises fierce competition. All lovers of sport and good fun are invited to join the event, either as competitors in the promo races or as fans along the course. Due to the race, there will be a temporary traffic regulation on Sunday, June 29. Occasional delays are possible on the route from the Bedekovčina Lakes, through Poznanovec, Dubovec, Banščica to Gornja Stubica. For the maximum safety of all participants, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the following streets in Gornja Stubica will be closed to all traffic: Trg Sv. Jurja (from the intersection with Volavečka cesta), ulica Gupčevoj lipi, and Zagrebačka ulica in the northbound direction to the intersection with ulica Matije Gupca and further to the intersection with ulica Samci. Residents and drivers are asked for their patience and understanding.