September 19, 2025 – As Croatia’s beaches empty after another busy season, Croatia’s premier island of Hvar changes into Adrenaline Croatia, welcoming 5,000 participants in the 2025 Spartan World Championship.

It has been another busy season for the island of Hvar, as peak season tourists came once more for the sun, the beaches, the culture, food and wine, and that unique Hvar vibe. But while many islands are now saying farewell to their guests and closing down for the season, with an eye on the imminent olive harvest, Hvar is changing into its October personality – less beach and more adrenaline. The island that this summer hosted Ed Sheeran and was featured in his latest video will be welcoming thousands of athletes for the 2025 Spartan World Championship, the pinnacle of obstacle course racing (OCR) where the top athletes from around the world compete in various race distances, including Ultra, Beast, Super, Sprint, and the 100-meter dash, to earn legendary status.

Last year saw the first such event on the island, and it was a true joy to behold. October has always been one of my favourite months to visit. The crowds have gone, the locals are more relaxed, the weather is still excellent, and the focus is on chill. And community. I really enjoyed last year’s Spartan World Championship, seeing so many athletes from all over the world coming together to compete, but also to enjoy a few days in the magical old town of Hvar, getting to know each other and the locals. The positive energy and youthful sporty vibe were a great addition to the town, and the hospitality owners were very happy with the extra business at the tail end of the season. You can see more about last year’s event in my video below.

The 2025 event aims to build on this year’s success, delivering competition against the backdrop of Hvar’s ancient streets, crystal-clear Adriatic waters, and rugged coastlines. Athletes and fans alike can expect a weekend filled with intense races and a vibrant festival atmosphere. There will be more than 5,000 participants from an impressive 60 countries, a significant increase on last year.

Saturday, October 11 will see the return of the Spartan 100M World Championship, a knockout-style race that will once again take place in the heart of Hvar’s bustling city square. After qualifying the day before, athletes will push their limits as they compete on a fast-paced 100m course, packed with challenging obstacles designed to test speed, strength, and agility in a head-to-head battle.

On Sunday, October 12, the Spartan Sprint 5K World Championship will challenge competitors with 20 obstacles spread across a 5km course. From traversing historic fortress walls to tackling the rugged coastal terrain, participants will once again face one of the toughest and most scenic courses in the OCR world.

In addition to the elite races, age group and open heat events will allow athletes of all levels to participate and experience the Croatian OCR challenge. A gruelling Beast 21K and Super 10K events will also be held across the weekend for all athletes to take on individually, or even complete them all to earn a highly respected Trifecta.

Earlier this year, I interviewed Spartan COO, Giles Chater, to learn more about the event, and specifically why Spartan had chosen Hvar.

Of course, such a large event requires the support of the community and town, not least when it comes to accommodation. Part of the strength of Hvar’s ability to host such events has been the excellent partnership it enjoys with Suncani Hvar Hotels, the leading hotel group on the island, and rooms have been selling out fast for the event.

For all visitors, teams, and supporters, Amfora, Hvar Grand Beach Resort and Pharos, Hvar Bayhill Hotel offer the perfect base, just a few minutes’ walk from the starting line. Optimal recovery and enjoyment after the race are guaranteed in Sunčani Hvar Hotels– from wellness zones and quality food for athletes to group booking options for teams and families, with top-tier service and an unbeatable location. Be sure to book your spot in advance – accommodation availability for this weekend will be limited.

It promises to be one more epic weekend on this fabulous island that I was privileged to call home for 13 wonderful years. See you at Spartan!

For more details on how to take part in this year’s event, check out the official Spartan website.

The event is also sponsored by the town of Hvar and the Hvar Town Tourist Board, whose website has more details of the other events in October, which you can see here. A really great month to visit.


 


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