Traditionally, December is reserved for the Boka Marathon, and this year the event marked its 5th anniversary, reflecting how quickly the race has developed from a local initiative into an international running phenomenon. The extraordinary beauty of the Bay of Kotor is unmatched, and from a photographer’s perspective, this is truly a special place.
I honestly don’t know if there is a more visually striking setting than this unique landscape, where modern and historic architecture intertwine with the sea in the background. What makes the Boka Marathon truly special is its route, set almost entirely along the coastline of the bay. The full marathon traditionally starts in Tivat, in the Pine waterfront area, and finishes in the Old Town of Kotor, guiding runners through a landscape where the sea, mountains, and historic towns constantly shift in the background.
Participants run alongside the calm waters of the bay, passing through coastal settlements and roads framed by steep mountain slopes. The course offers uninterrupted views of the bay, stone houses, churches, and small harbors, not as decorative backdrops, but as a natural part of the race experience. Locals line sections of the route, cheering and supporting runners, adding warmth and energy without overpowering the event itself.
That landscape and atmosphere are unmatched, and will be the main reason why I know I will keep returning to this event in the years to come.
This year’s marathon gathered around 6,500 participants from 52 countries, making it the largest Boka Marathon so far. Runners took part across several race categories, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, as well as children’s runs.
It was Saša Miljković from Serbia who won the marathon with the finishing time of 2:29:28, and Nataša Šustić from Croatia was the fastest in women’s category, crossing the line in 2:48:34 securing her third consecutive Boka Marathon title.