Ostrog Halfmarathon

The Ostrog Half Marathon running track is one of the most difficult half marathon tracks. Figuratively speaking, it seems to hover in time and space at times, between Nikšić (647m above sea level) and Ostorog (639m above sea level). The race starts from Shaka Petrović Square, at the foot of Petrova glavica, where the magnificent Cathedral of St. Vasilije Ostroški was built, and in front of the imposing sculpture of the Mother of God, the work of sculptor Vjačeslav Klikov from Russia, whom Sveti Vasilije loved and visited. 

The athletic track passes through the city center itself, symbolically describing the path of St. Basil's Liturgy (May 12), one of the largest festivals in the Christian universe. The trail continues through the village of Kličevo, crosses over 18 spectacularly beautiful arches of the Emperor's Bridge on the river Zeta, then crosses the hill Pandurica and rocky Povija, to end in front of the Lower Monastery Ostrog, where the winners and finishers of the half marathon are crowned. 

This demanding path is a small icon of human spiritual ascent and self-transcendence. In sports competition, the winners are those who control themselves and beat themselves. Everyone who achieves the goal in this unique competitive and sports-recreational "race for the soul" is the winner.
Those who find themselves on the winning throne of the Ostroh Half Marathon, crossing the fastest track that breathed them and inspired them to win, will themselves inspire future athletic endeavors. 

In Ostrog, which is the most visited sanctuary in Montenegro, and the third most visited in the world, right after the tomb of Christ and the Holy Mountain, miracles happen, which is why people with serious illnesses come to look for a physical and mental cure. Not only orthodox believers have access to the relics of Saint Vasili, but also people with other religions, from all over the world. The monastery, which was built in 1666 by Saint Vasilije Jovanovic, is attached to a giant rock above the valley of Zeta. The pilgrimage began on the 12th of May, on the day of the Saint’s retirement. Ostrog is visited by tens of thousands of believers. For 20 years now, a group of athletes and running enthusiasts from Nikšić, in the glory of the Saint, ran for 20 km, from the temple to the monastery of Ostrog.