- About the marathon
- History
- Gallery
- Practical advice
- They said
- Organizing committee
- Preparing for a marathon
About the Franja marathon
The 1st Francis Marathon was held on July 22, 1982 under the leadership of Zvonet Zanoškar at the initiative of Tone Fornezzi-Tof. As early as 1978, Mr. Fornezzi, but due to road construction, he had to turn to Kladje in Cerkno.
THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCIS MARATHON

At the first event, there were around 700 participants, mostly on ordinary, non-competitive bikes. In the first years, the route also included a seven-kilometer macadam section from the top of Kladje to Sovodnje, which caused many flat tires. It was with the help of Franja and the protests of the surrounding residents that the asphalt was later laid.
In 1984, the participants at the start in Tacno were greeted by the legendary doctor Dr. Franja Bojc-Bidovec, who uttered the famous words on this occasion: "I know it won't be easy for you, believe me, it wasn't easy for us either!"

In the 1980s, many foreigners from Western Europe attended Francis. The Dutch, who stopped at the marathon on the way to the Adriatic coast, were especially remembered. V
in those years, the Rog factory also produced a bike suitable for such tests, which was called the Marathon.
On the first Franja, Ivan Rajgelj was the fastest, but later on a really large crowd took part: from real tourist cyclists to professionals, such as Primož Čerin, Jure Pavlič, Valter Bonča, Robert Pintarič, Gorazd Penko and others. The latter also fought for the points of the most prestigious scoring for Rogovo Zlata kola for two years in Franja. In the 1980s, Bojan Križaj, who was one of the biggest stars of Yugoslavian sports at the time, ran the marathon.
The official record attendance was in 2002, when 1,886 participants took part. That year, the marathon was exceptionally closed. Together with the Family Marathon, which was organized for the first time at the time, there were more than 2,000 participants at the start. Already the following year, Franja was competitive again, which turned out to be the right and long-term solution. Until 2002, the start and finish line of Franja in Tacno was in front of the Secondary Police School. In 2003, he moved to BTC City in Ljubljana.

The event got a new impetus in 2005, when the marathon was held as part of the Cycling Festival. We have added to the Franja Marathon the Little Franja Marathon, two trials for mountain bikers, a Family-School Marathon for everyone and a Trial for children. Alongside the festival, there were also lectures, fair offers and pop music concerts. Last year, with the entry into the Alpe Adria Tour connection, a larger number of foreigners, especially Italians, took part in the Franja Barcaffé Marathon for the first time.
Another milestone was set this year, when the Franja Marathon is an official candidate for membership in the series of the best cycling marathons in the world under the auspices of the International Cycling Union UCI-Golden bike.
Gallery
You can look at our picture gallery here
Practical advice
FOOD AND BEVERAGE ENTRY AT THE CYCLING MARATHON
For most, the Franja Marathon is the biggest annual cycling event, for others it is the first real cycling test, and for some it is an annual race. With the first warmer and sunny days, you have probably already started to accumulate the necessary cycling kilometers, study tactics and take care of proper nutrition.
One of the most important but all too often overlooked stones in the cycling marathon mosaic is proper nutrition both before, during and after the marathon itself.
Experienced experts at ProAction advise you on proper nutrition and have prepared for you a precise plan of intake of the necessary nutrients, so that you will not run out of energy or face energy crises and lack of hydration during the marathon.
The nutrient plan is prepared with the goal of maintaining adequate energy readiness throughout the entire marathon.
FRANK BTC CITY MARATHON 156km
BEFORE THE START OF THE MARATHON
Come to the start well hydrated. Breakfast should contain simple sugars (fruit juice, hazelnut spread...) and not too much fiber (such as: whole grains, dried fruit...) so that you don't miss the start due to searching for the nearest toilet.
Preparing travel food and drink should be a careful and planned task. Before the start, cut the energy bars in half for practicality and easier consumption, as you do not need to tear the packaging while driving, and you can also eat the bar in two small portions, 15 minutes apart. Unscrew the caps of Carbo sprint BCAA gels and remove the fuse, which allows you to open them more easily while riding. Prepare the correct concentration of Mineral plus isotonic drink in three bottles. Place two water bottles in the bike racks, and one in the middle pocket of the cycling shirt. .Start drinking the latter in small sips already in the pit before the start
Up to 90 minutes before the start, drink CARBO PLUS 50g mixed in 500ml of water. At the start, sleep another 5 minutes before the start of the PRESTART SHOT, which you wash down with a few sips of the drink.
Below are the appropriate amounts of nutrients that you will need for the marathon and which you should get before the start itself.
DURING THE MARATHON
So a suitable supply of food and drink for the entire marathon:
- 5 pcs MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC (3 x cans and 2 x packaging in a bag)
- 2 pcs ULTRA RACE
- 2 pcs FRUIT BAR
- 1 piece CRONO BAR
- 1 piece CARBO SPRINT EXTREME
- 2 pcs CARBO SPRINT BCAA
- 1 piece MINERAL PLUS Magnesium + Potassium
- 1 piece CARBO SPRINT STEERING WHEEL
- 2 pcs BIDON
After the start of the marathon, when the body warms up, it is necessary to start taking nutrients in time, namely:
- Drink the first bottle until Vrhnika, and throw away the empty one where there is a crowd of spectators,
- Take one gel in the pit at the start CARBO SPRINT ULTRA RACE gel,
- Eat one between Brezovica and Vrhnika FRUIT BAR tiles,
- Between Logatec and Godovič consume CARBO SPRINT BCAA gel,
- To Godovič drink the second bottle MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC,
- On the way from Godovič to the top of Kladij drink the second bottle MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC,
- Before climbing Kladje consume one CARBO SPRINT EXTREME,
- After climbing Kladje consume it MINERAL PLUS MG + Potassiumto prevent cramps,
- After the descent from Kladje to Poljanska dolina - Gorenje village take one CRONO BAR ,
- Between Kladje and Škofja loko drink a water bottle MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC 30 g (in a bag),
- In Skofja Loka consume one CARBO SPRINT BCAA,
- Between Škofja loka and Tacno drink a can of liquid that you top up with MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC 30 g (in a bag),
- Between Lake Zbilj and Vodice consume it CARBO SPRINT ULTRA RACE gel
- From Šmartne to Tacno gave you to the last wing CARBO SPRINT WHEELS, which will provide that ultimate energy and stimulation.
If you need additional quantities during the marathon, you can get them at ProAction refreshment stations in Idrija, Cerkne, Kladje, Suhem dol, Gorenja Vasa, Škofja Loki
- 2 pcs MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC 30 (package in a bag)
- 2 pcs ULTRA RACE
- 2 pcs FRUIT BAR
- 1 piece CRONO BAR
- 1 piece CARBO SPRINT EXTREME
- 2 pcs CARBO SPRINT BCAA
- 1 piece MINERAL PLUS Magnesium + Potassium
- 1 piece CARBO SPRINT STEERING WHEEL
- 2 pcs BIDON
The regular price of the package, which will provide you with sufficient energy for the entire marathon, is €31.17. During the preparations for the Franja Marathon, you have available at a special price of €21.83.
You can order the products on the website ProAction or on the telephone number 030 700 387. For more information, we are also at your disposal at info@proaction.si.
DON'T FORGET THE WATER:
It is important to provide yourself with water to prepare an isotonic drink and thereby enable rehydration and energy for the body, and above all to protect yourself as much as possible against cramps. You will get water at refreshment stations or from feeders along the route. Always have a bag or two in your pocket Mineral Plus Isotonic.
HOW TO EAT DURING THE MARATHON:
TAKE A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME, because on this account your final result will certainly be much better than if you run out of drink or energy during the marathon. Sufficient hydration is extremely important, so do not be afraid to stop if you are not technically skilled enough to prepare a mineral drink while driving.
Eat in the areas when the column or group has calmed down or down the slope, when the organism is resting, because then it is easier to absorb the necessary nutrients. If you already have a high heart rate, it will be difficult for your body to digest the food you eat.
Don't worry about the extra weight you carry with you at the expense of food in your pockets and water bottles on the bike. As long as you respect the minimum nutritional intake that we advise you, there will be so much more energy in stock that the weight will be of negligible importance, and the result will be MAXIMUM depending on your readiness.
AFTER THE MARATHON:
After the marathon, use one of the following products to restore energy and regeneration:
- MINERAL PLUS ISOTONIC rehydration
- I MPRO regeneration
- MAGNESIUM POTASSIUM, against spasms
- PROTEIN PLATE
- PROTEIN ISOWHEY ZERO
DON'T MISS THE TOP MASSAGE:
After the marathon, you are invited to a superb massage, from the skilled and strong hands of Wellness Ornament masseurs www.wellnessornament.eu
Masseurs will ensure that your muscles relax, cool down and regenerate. They will massage with an effective gel - Descovital, which contains essential oils, does not grease the skin and pleasantly refreshes the muscles.
They said







A word from the Mayor of Ljubljana "Sports and recreational events, such as the Franja Marathon, play an important role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, and at the same time they also enable pleasant socializing. That's why in Ljubljana, we always welcome and support sports events that inspire our residents, with our and with kindness, hospitality and warmth, we guarantee the excellent well-being of all participants." Zoran JANKOVIC Mayor of Ljubljana

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Honorary Committee
PRESIDENT - ZORAN JANKOVIĆ Members - Marko Bokal, Andrej Bručan, Tone Fornezzi Tof, Tomaž Grm, Primož Kališnik, Damjan Kralj, Marko Kolbl, Damir Pavlović, Aleksander Mervar, Jure Mohorič, Marián Šefkovič, Aleks Štakul, Dimitrij Šulin, Aleš Torkar, Ivan Winkler, Franjo Bobinac, Jernej Smisl, Lejla Helbl, Marko Hren, Rok Drašler.Organizing committee
PRESIDENT - JOŽE MERMAL Vice Presidents - Aleš Čerin, Marko Kolenc, Maja OwenPREPARATION FOR THE MARATHON
How to run the Franja marathon as easily, quickly and at all as possible?
There are just under two months left until the start of the Franje marathon. You probably know the famous rule, created among Ljubljana cyclists, that 'you can come through Franja if you have at least 700 kilometers traveled by the day of the start'. Well, some can even confirm it. However, marathons such as Franja's cannot be undertaken without a little more and high-quality, smart training. So how to practice so that it will be as easy as possible and with as much pleasure as possible?
Our cycling experts are of the opinion that you can ride the big marathon, 165 kilometers long, without any problems, enjoy it or even improve your time from last year's Franja, if you practice properly and smartly in the weeks before the start (just under two months). Of course, by this we mean somewhat more active recreational cyclists who must cycle at least 160 kilometers per week. These are cyclists who were active in sports even in winter and used almost every warm winter and spring day for cycling. These are generally physically fit individuals who have already traveled several hundred (700 to 800) basic kilometers. With the exercise that we advise you, you will actually increase the intensity and volume, so it shouldn't be difficult for you to sit on the bike for four to five hours in the last month before Franjo. You should cycle at least three times a week. We also took into account that you are busy and want to spend a day of the weekend with your family, so we limited the cycling days to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. After two long training sessions in the fourth week, we planned for the fifth week a bit of rest and easier training.
We also prepared a special training schedule for beginner cyclists whose goal is to complete the Franja mini-marathon. Don't worry, they are already tested. Polet's first team of beginner cyclists, who practiced with Gorazd Penko, also rode the big Franja without any problems. But for now and for the first time, let's have a shorter goal, little Franja. It is good if you are used to riding a bike before starting the training, which means that you must already have a few basic kilometers of cycling behind you.
Even beginner cyclists must practice three times a week, and must ride at least 55 kilometers per week (that is, for example, approximately three laps around Šmarna gora on the route Šmartno – Skarucna – Vodice – Krašnja – Valburga – Smlednik – Zavrh – Pirnice – Tacen – Šmartno) . Friday, Sunday and Wednesday are suitable days for you to practice. The scope and intensity of the exercise are adapted to beginners, which means that we also took into account that as beginner cyclists you are not used to sitting on the bike for a long time and you will sometimes get off.
Have fun training and preparing for a big cycling event!
The Franja.org team