Five kilometres on Saturday, a half marathon on Sunday: traffic must wait on parts of the course between Makarska, Tučepi and Podgora. Arriving visitors should distinguish the two traffic restriction windows from the separate tunnel closure near Zagvozd.

01

Two races, two time windows

Part of the Makarska Riviera belongs to runners this weekend. The Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon combines a five-kilometre race on Saturday with the half marathon on Sunday. Both start on Makarska’s Riva and finish outside the Apfel Arena. For people without a race number, the key question is when the event will affect their journey.

The organiser gives start times of 15:00 on 24 October and 09:30 on 25 October. HAK’s traffic restriction windows begin slightly earlier: 14:45–16:00 on Saturday and 09:15–12:30 on Sunday. All times are local. These are the announced traffic arrangements, not confirmation that roads have subsequently reopened.

02

Saturday’s course stays closer to Makarska

The short course runs along the Riva, through Peškera and the Sv. Petar area, then back towards Franjevački put and Ulica Stjepana Ivičevića. It also touches a short section of the D8 on the way to the finish. Individual roads will close temporarily as runners pass.

For a hotel transfer or collection, the precise location of the access road therefore matters more than a general assurance that Makarska is accessible. If the accommodation is on the race route, agree in advance which side offers a sensible waiting place for a vehicle. A short walk may be more practical than trying to cross a closed road during the race.

Painted symbolic scene of traffic management during a coastal race
Golden Beach / OpenAI ImageGen · AI-generated symbolic illustration; does not depict actual people, construction plans or documented activities
03

Sunday’s race reaches Podgora

The half marathon runs through Tučepi to Podgora and back to Makarska, alternating between waterfront areas, local roads and sections of the D8. HAK expects roads to reopen progressively after the last runner; safety conditions and instructions from the responsible services determine arrangements on the ground.

For Makarska, HAK expects traffic to return to normal from 10:30, with the D8 between Podgora and Volicija fully reopened by 12:30 at the latest. These are planned times. They should not be taken as a promise that every individual access road will be clear at 10:30. Anyone needing to make a fixed connection should allow extra time.

04

Sveti Ilija is a separate closure

The Sveti Ilija tunnel on the DC76 has also been closed since 19 October. Those works continue beyond the race weekend. Anyone arriving from the hinterland must therefore first allow for the appropriate tunnel diversion and then the local race course.

Before departure, ask three questions: when will I reach the Riviera, is my destination on an affected road, and is my satnav still routing me through Sveti Ilija? Check HAK and the organiser’s information again on the day of travel. An improvised shortcut through side streets is no substitute for the signposted traffic arrangements.

Evidence

Sources & date

Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.

  1. Road report: Apfel Arena Makarska Half MarathonHAK · 20 October 2026Traffic restriction windows, routes, phased reopening and the D8
  2. Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon 2026 – informationOrganiser via utrka.com · Programme for 24–25 October 2026; checked 20 OctoberStart times, distances, start and finish
Time-sensitive information may change. Please check the linked primary source before travelling.