28. Ljubljana Marathon : NLB is the new general sponsor of the largest running event in Southeast Europe

As we applaud to successes of top Slovenian athletes on bikes, climbing rocks, wild waters, volleyball courts, football fields, and athletic fields, some major developments are also happening in the field of sports for all:  NLB has namely joined the Ljubljana Marathon as the new general sponsor for the period of next four years.

The NLB Ljubljana Marathon, as the event will be called from now on, is a generator of a sporting lifestyle and a communicator of values of unity, diversity, inclusion, health, and prevention; it creates hope and gives perspective. However, brave vision, stable progress, and added value for runners, the city, and sponsors, can only be turned to reality by the trust of the runners, the support of the City of Ljubljana, a dedicated team, and partners who provide the momentum. NLB is precisely that kind of a partner.

"We are proud to enter into a partnership that will enable us to reach and exceed strategic milestones - to improve the running experience, ensure a constant growth in the number of runners, and maintain the high reputation of the event in the region where NLB also operates. We are united by the same values - we put the user first and know that the limits can only be exceeded if one steps out of  comfort zone. Just like the runners do by every step on the course," said Barbara Železnik, director of the Timing Ljubljana Association, the organizer of the NLB Ljubljana Marathon, upon the signing of the contract. 

"I am proud of NLB, as a socially responsible company they have recognized the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This is also reflected in the large number of participants in the marathon every year, so I am extremely happy that NLB has joined this extraordinary running event," said Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković.

"At NLB, we deeply believe that sport is a key part of any healthy society, and at the same time, it also plays an incredible unifying role. That is why we wholeheartedly support Slovenian sports - both professional athletes and teams as well as youth sports - and we are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to also support the Ljubljana Marathon, the largest running event in Southeast Europe," said NLB’s CEO Blaž Brodnjak. "The Ljubljana Marathon, with its values of perseverance, discipline, and self-confidence, also perfectly illustrates the values of NLB. We will actively contribute to its development, while at the same time encourage all runners, professional and amateur, to participate in the event. We wish the participants of the NLB Ljubljana Marathon much success and an unforgettable running experience. And we invite all fans to join us by the track. Together we can create an unforgettable running atmosphere!” he added.

More runners than last year are already registered at the marathon distance!

On the day we concluded a new general partnership with NLB for the next 4 years, we already exceeded the number of 7,000 participants in all three distances, i.e. 10, 21, and 42 kilometres - 1,500 applications more than last year on the same day. The number of entries in the marathon distance is particularly impressive. There are still two and a half months until registration closes, and there are already more runners registered for the longest distance than we recorded last year at the end of the registration period. This is a great turnout forecast.

On the other hand, a detailed analysis of the conditions and satisfaction of the runners showed that we successfully mitigated the consequences of the pandemic by a clear definition of goals and strategic direction. Last year we set an absolute record for the number of foreign runners (4,539).