Text: Željka Kunštek
3, 2, 1... Black Gold Night Run
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© Tomislav Krišto / Tourist Board City of Ivanić-Grad
© Tomislav Krišto / Tourist Board City of Ivanić-Grad
You can sign up for the Black Gold Night Run here:
© Tomislav Krišto / Tourist Board City of Ivanić-Grad
IVANIĆ-GRAD
© Tomislav Krišto / Tourist Board City of Ivanić-Grad
Events
Have you ever run at night next to illuminated oil pumps, and then treated yourself to delicious treats in the enchanting Advent ambiance of a city known for three kinds of black gold? Yes, it's time for new experiences!
J Tourist Board City of Ivanić-Grad
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tipTravelMagazine June 2023 - May 2024
ust 40 kilometers east of the Croatian capital is a charming town full of stories, many of which surround the three kinds of black gold that Ivanić-Grad is known for far and wide: delicious pumpkin seed oil, precious oil, and therapeutic naphthalene oil. While you can enjoy the view of fields full of pumpkins of various shapes and colors in the autumn months, oil and the only source of naphthalene in Europe are well-preserved underground treasures all year long. The many oil pumps
in the area, symbols of the industrial heritage of the city, bear witness to the existence of oil in the area, and the locals skillfully transform them into a tourist attraction. That is especially apparent during Advent, when the pumps are illuminated and they become milestones for runners at the unique 9 km long Black Gold Night Run, a road race that takes place at night. The race route passes through the city of Ivanić-Grad, and runs along the edge of the Žutica forest, and is symbolically held on December 9, 2023 (starting at 6:00 PM), during the celebration of the feast day of St. Barbara, the protector saint of miners, firefighters, and good death, connected to Advent traditions. Besides celebrating oil, one of their three black golds, with the race, the locals also use it to send a message about the importance of being active and having healthy habits, rightfully so - during the winter, when we most often hide away in our warm homes with an abundance of holiday treats. The night race is a great opportunity to combine running, in the unique ambiance of illuminated oil pumps, with delicious delicacies, since the runners are awaited with refreshments after the race at Advent in Ivanić.