SPEECHES
Jože Mermal
As Marathon Franja BTC City celebrates its 45th edition, we proudly reflect on its journey from a vision of dedicated cycling enthusiasts in 1982 to one of the largest and most recognised cycling events in this part of Europe, symbolising Slovenian sport, unity and an active lifestyle.
Marathon Franja BTC City – 45 Years of Sports Story Connecting People
As Marathon Franja BTC City celebrates its 45th edition, we proudly reflect on its journey from a vision of dedicated cycling enthusiasts in 1982 to one of the largest and most recognised cycling events in this part of Europe, symbolising Slovenian sport, unity and an active lifestyle.
Today, Marathon Franja brings together more than 6,000 participants, over 2,600 organisers and volunteers, and thousands of spectators. It unites elite athletes, recreational cyclists and families, while placing increasing emphasis on sustainability, sustainable mobility and environmental responsibility.
On this special anniversary, I sincerely thank the organisers, volunteers, partners, local communities, supporters and all cyclists who have helped shape Franja over the years. May the 45th Marathon Franja BTC City be a celebration of sport, togetherness and the stories we continue to create together.
Jože Mermal,
President of the Marathon Franja BTC City Organising Committee and
Chairman of the Board of Directors at BTC, d. d.
mag. Damjan Kralj
BTC City Ljubljana is proudly hosting the 45th edition of Marathon Franja BTC City which has been transcending the boundaries of sports for decades and remains one of the most recognisable symbols of cycling and of sport connecting people in Slovenia.
BTC City Ljubljana and Franja’s Energy Breathing as One
BTC City Ljubljana is proudly hosting the 45th edition of Marathon Franja BTC City which has been transcending the boundaries of sports for decades and remains one of the most recognisable symbols of cycling and of sport connecting people in Slovenia.
As the largest sporting and recreational event, Marathon Franja unites sports enthusiasts, families, recreational and top professional cyclists of all generations. It is precisely this kind of energy from people that is tightly enwoven in BTC City Ljubljana, a modern urban centre, where shopping, business and leisure intertwine.
We are proud to see BTC City Ljubljana once again being the centre of this exceptional festival of cycling which during the event truly lives and breathes as one with Franja’s energy. We do not support Marathon Franja merely as hosts, but also as longstanding partners, who have been co-creating its developmental and long-term value for no less than 24 years.
BTC sees cycling as an important part of modern urban way of living and as one of the key forms of sustainable mobility. With its tradition, Marathon Franja BTC City significantly contributes to the broader understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and responsible attitude towards the environment.
Upon this year’s anniversary edition, I would like to thank all partners, organisers, volunteers, spectators and, of course, all the cyclists who have been co-writing Franja’s story.
Let this year’s Franja inspire with its sports energy and the power of connecting.
Welcome to BTC City Ljubljana!
Damjan Kralj, M. Sc.,
Chief Executive Director of BTC
Helena Petrin
Dear cycling enthusiasts, colleagues, partners, and supporters of the Maraton Franja BTC City. With great pride and satisfaction, I have been a supporter of our esteemed cycling marathon for many years. Maraton Franja BTC City has been a synonym for passion, perseverance, and community connection for decades, as reflected each spring when a cycling multitude descends upon the route of this prestigious event.
Dear cycling enthusiasts, colleagues, partners, and supporters of the Maraton Franja BTC City,
With great pride and satisfaction, I have been a supporter of our esteemed cycling marathon for many years. Maraton Franja BTC City has been a synonym for passion, perseverance, and community connection for decades, as reflected each spring when a cycling multitude descends upon the route of this prestigious event.
Our journey has been filled with exceptional moments and significant achievements. Over the years, we have built a strong community that transcends the borders of Slovenia, becoming one of the key events on the European cycling calendar. We are proud of our collective efforts, which have transformed Maraton Franja BTC City into more than just a sports event; it has become a symbol of mutual respect, a healthy lifestyle, and an immense community spirit.
Throughout the years, we have proven that, despite challenges, we can provide an outstanding experience for every participant. Our commitment to continuous improvements in this well-recognized European competition has ensured that each marathon is not just a sports event but a celebration of cycling for all participants, regardless of age or physical fitness, and for the people who enthusiastically follow it along the entire route.
My excitement and joy are heightened when I consider the broader spectrum of the marathon, impacting the rise of programs for young cyclists, promoting sustainable mobility, and charitable initiatives that are essential parts of our identity. Through these activities, we not only promote cycling as a sport but also as a way of life contributing to a healthier and more connected society.
Now, as we look towards the future, we are focused on further developing and growing Maraton Franja BTC City. Our goal is to continue improving the participants’ experiences, expanding our influence, and contributing to the global cycling community. I sincerely hope that, on this exciting journey, we will continue together and continually enhance the successful story called Maraton Franja BTC City.
I express my gratitude to all organizers who ensure the flawless execution of the marathon, to all cyclists participating, and to those eagerly following, supporting, and anticipating the marathon. I only wish that the community of cyclists, supporters of cycling, and organizers of our Franja continue to grow and evolve, making us even larger, more connected, and continuing to cycle on the path of excellence, innovation, and community solidarity.
Zoran Janković
Marathon Franja is a celebration of cycling that brings together cyclists from near and far, each with their own goals but united by a love of cycling and a healthy lifestyle. Every year, the event creates a special atmosphere where competition, friendship and enjoyment of cycling come together.
We Can Hardly Wait for Franja to Begin!
Marathon Franja is a celebration of cycling that brings together cyclists from near and far, each with their own goals but united by a love of cycling and a healthy lifestyle. Every year, the event creates a special atmosphere where competition, friendship and enjoyment of cycling come together.
Ljubljana continues to support cycling by developing safe cycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable mobility. The growing number of cyclists, especially young families, shows the importance of encouraging cycling from an early age. Marathon Franja follows this vision by creating a programme where cyclists of all generations can find something for themselves.
I would like to congratulate the Marathon Franja BTC City Organising Committee for their dedicated and professional work and thank Jože Mermal for his contribution and cooperation. I wish all cyclists a memorable Franja 2026, safe rides and the fulfilment of their goals and dreams.
Zoran Janković,
Mayor of City Municipality of Ljubljana
Andrej Hauptman
The 45th Marathon Franja marks an important milestone for an event that has grown from humble beginnings into the largest recreational cycling event in Slovenia and one of the best-known in the region. For decades, KD Rog Ljubljana has played a key role in its development, helping shape Franja into a symbol of unity, perseverance and community.
45th Marathon Franja – Still Cycling With The Same Passion!
The 45th Marathon Franja marks an important milestone for an event that has grown from humble beginnings into the largest recreational cycling event in Slovenia and one of the best-known in the region. For decades, KD Rog Ljubljana has played a key role in its development, helping shape Franja into a symbol of unity, perseverance and community.
This success is built on the dedication of partners, supporters and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s high organisational standards. In recent years, Marathon Franja has continued to grow and gain international recognition, attracting an increasing number of cyclists from abroad.
As we celebrate the 45th edition, we look ahead with the same passion that inspired the original organisers. Marathon Franja remains a celebration of cycling that brings together competition, recreation and friendship, and I wish all participants a safe ride and many unforgettable moments.
Andrej Hauptman, President of KD Rog
Gorazd Penko
As we approach the 45th Marathon Franja BTC City, we celebrate an important milestone and thank everyone who has contributed to the event over the years – sponsors, cycling club members, volunteers along the routes, local communities, cycling enthusiasts and all participants.
45th Marathon Franja – Total Length of All Current Routes: 500 Kilometres!
Dear cyclists, colleagues, sponsors and friends of Marathon Franja,
As we approach the 45th Marathon Franja BTC City, we celebrate an important milestone and thank everyone who has contributed to the event over the years – sponsors, cycling club members, volunteers along the routes, local communities, cycling enthusiasts and all participants.
Over the past 45 years, Franja has grown from a one-day event into a three-day cycling festival for all types of cyclists. The total length of its routes has expanded from 156 km to almost 500 km, while new ideas continue to inspire its future. Together, you have helped Franja gain international recognition and contributed to the development of Slovenian cycling, reflected in the achievements of the country’s top cyclists.
On this special anniversary, sincere thanks go to the City Municipality of Ljubljana and to Jože Mermal, who is stepping down as President of the Organising Committee. His vision and the dedication of his colleagues have played a key role in achieving everything Franja has become today.
Maja Bem
Franja – My Story, My Transformation
Looking back today, I can see how much Marathon Franja BTC City has grown over the years and how much it has changed me. I joined the organising team in 2003, when the marathon moved to BTC City, and what started as an organisational challenge soon became a symbol of persistence, community and excellence. As the event expanded, so did the responsibilities and commitment of everyone involved.
Franja also transformed me personally. From a mother cycling with her family, I became a road cyclist at the age of fifty and have now completed the Little Franja Marathon thirteen times. The beginnings were demanding, but with determination, the support of the team and a growing passion for cycling, I learned that persistence matters more than the way you start. At the same time, Franja joined the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, becoming part of the international cycling community and raising the standards of the event even further.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped shape this story – the organising team, Jože Mermal, Gorazd Penko, Urša Pintar, the Mayor of Ljubljana, my colleagues at KD Rog led by Andrej Hauptman, Miro Miškulin, the volunteers, firefighters, police officers, motorcyclists and loyal sponsors. Today, Franja is an internationally recognised recreational cycling event for all generations. For me, however, it remains above all a personal story of courage, growth and passion – proof that Franja is far more than a marathon; it is a feeling that never lets you go.
Maja Bem, KD Rog Vice-President, Vice-President of the 45th Marathon Franja BTC City Organising Committee
