Neretva Marathon Boat Race Draws 31 Crews
Prime Minister held a series of meetings with local leaders in Metković and announced continued investment in agglomeration, irrigation, and transport connectivity projects for the Neretva Valley.
Prime Minister held a series of meetings with local leaders in Metković and announced continued investment in agglomeration, irrigation, and transport connectivity projects for the Neretva Valley.
The Neretva Valley lived to the rhythm of oars and tradition on Saturday. The 29th Marathon Boat Race was held in Metković, an event that has grown from a local competition into one of the most recognizable national events, and this year it brought together 31 crews at the start, including three debutant teams.
The race, stretching 22,580 meters, or nearly 23 kilometers, leads from the bridge in Metković, through Kula Norinska, Krvavac, Opuzen, Komin, Banja, Šarić Struga, Rogotin, Čeveljuša, and Stablina, all the way to the finish line in Ploče. Each boat, built according to strict traditional rules, is powered by ten rowers, a drummer, and a coxswain, and it is estimated that they will make as many as nine thousand strokes before reaching the finish.
The importance of the event was underscored by the arrival of high-ranking state officials. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković came to Metković accompanied by several ministers: Tomislav Ćorić (Finance), David Vlajčić (Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries), Marija Vučković (Environment and Green Transition), and Branko Bačić (Spatial Planning, Construction, and State Property).
Before the race began, the Prime Minister held a working meeting with local government leaders at the City Administration building. Alongside Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Blaž Pezo, the mayors of Metković (Dalibor Milan), Ploče (Ivan Marević), and Opuzen (Ivan Mataga) were present, as well as the heads of surrounding municipalities. Plenković then also met with representatives of the Neretva Boatmen's Association, the event's organizers.
After the meetings, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Marathon Boat Race is "a beautiful tradition of the Neretva Valley" and listed the key development projects discussed. These include the completion of the agglomeration project covering Metković, Ploče, and Opuzen, as well as the construction of a dam on the Neretva that will prevent seawater from penetrating the river's upper course.
"This is extremely important for the fauna in the Neretva River, but equally so for agriculture. Through Croatian access roads, the Government is investing in the highway from Vid, which is part of Metković, to Nova Sela. This is a massive project that will significantly improve the quality of life for people in Metković. We have excellent cooperation with the mayor and the prefect. I believe the Marathon Boat Race will continue to popularize this beautiful tradition," said Plenković, as reported by Prigorski.
On his Twitter profile, the Prime Minister stated that the Government will continue to strongly support the event. "Over nearly three decades, this unique event has grown into one of the largest amateur sporting events in this part of Europe, successfully connecting tradition, unity, and competitive spirit while preserving the heritage and identity of the Neretva Valley," he wrote.
This year's Marathon brought together around 400 rowers from all over Croatia, including a team from Sombor in Vojvodina. Organizers confirmed that the winners will receive the large traveling Domagoj's Shield and a small shield that remains in permanent possession, while a crew that wins three times in a row takes the large shield permanently.
The Mayor of Metković, Dalibor Milan, is confident that the Crni Put team from his city will win, so much so that he has promised to jump into the Neretva if his favorite does not triumph. Prefect Pezo is also rooting for Crni Put but emphasized that he will not be jumping into the river.
The Marathon Boat Race has been held since 1998 and today, besides being a sporting event, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in southern Croatia, drawing visitors from around the world.
