Bablje lito: an active October on the Makarska Riviera

Autumn showed up on the calendar, but the sun clearly did not get the memo. On the Makarska Riviera, the warm, dry days that return after autumn officially begins have a name: bablje lito, literally “grandma’s summer”. In October 2026, this second summer comes with a full sports calendar: Biciklijada Makarska (October 16th and 17th), Blitvarun Trail and the Blitwich kids race in Podgora (October 17th), the Makarska Half Marathon (October 24th and 25th), and the 24th Mountain Way of the Cross (October 24th and 25th).

Three women relaxing on an inflatable ring in turquoise sea durning bablje lito

What is bablje lito?

Bablje lito is the Dalmatian name for a stretch of warm, dry weather that shows up after autumn begins and, on the Riviera, often lasts into mid-October. It is the local version of what English speakers call an Indian summer. It happens almost like clockwork every year, giving the coast one more full taste of summer before the season really winds down.

Nobody quite agrees on where the name “bablje lito” comes from. Whatever the reason, locals are not complaining, and neither are the runners, cyclists and hikers who have been waiting all summer for this weather.

Why bablje lito is, among other things, sports season on the Riviera

Summer on the Makarska Riviera is for the sea. Bablje lito is for everything else. The heat of July and August is gone, the air is clear, and the views from Biokovo reach all the way to the islands. Trails that are too hot to enjoy in summer are pleasant from morning to afternoon, and cycling along the coast or up towards the mountain becomes a pleasure rather than a test.

It is also festival season. In Podgora, October is Green Month, a celebration of blitva (swiss chard) with green menus in local restaurants and chard ice cream. Add quieter beaches, where you can still finish a run with a swim on warm days, and it is easy to see why so many sports events land in October.

October 2026 sports events at a glance

Date	Event	Place	Who it is for
October 16th and 17th	Biciklijada Makarska	Makarska riva	Children, parents, recreational riders
October 17th	Blitvarun Trail and Blitwich	Podgora	Trail runners, beginners, children
October 24th and 25th	Makarska Half Marathon	Makarska riva, Apfel Arena	Runners, relay teams, children, walkers
October 24th and 25th	Mountain Way of the Cross	Brela, Makarska, Živogošće, Igrane	Young pilgrims

Biciklijada Makarska: a weekend on two wheels (October 16th and 17th)

Biciklijada Makarska 2026 is a two-day event for children, parents and anyone who enjoys riding. On Saturday, the Makarska riva closes to cars and belongs to bikes, kick scooters, scooters, and rollerblades.

The weekend opens on Friday with a bike tune-up workshop and an evening of entertainment with photo projections. Saturday is the main day: after registration and a performance by the Makarska City Band, riders set off for three laps around town, followed by a lottery, entertainment and refreshments on the riva.

There is no clock and no ranking. It is a relaxed ride through town for the whole family, and a good first event for children who are just getting confident on their bikes.

Child wearing a Biciklijada Makarska cycling club jersey

Children in helmets at the Biciklijada cycling event in Makarska

Blitvarun Trail and Blitwich kids race in Podgora (October 17th)

Blitvarun Trail is part of Podgora’s Green Month, when the town celebrates blitva, known in English as swiss chard. During October, restaurants in Podgora serve special green menus, and the festival is known for its chard ice cream, nicknamed “blitvar”. The race brings together the sea, the slopes of Biokovo, the paths of Podgora and this very Dalmatian vegetable.

Races

Under the Hill: 17.7 km with 737 m of climbing. The longer, more demanding trail runs under the slopes of Biokovo and through the Podgora area. Entry fee: 30 EUR, limited to 100 runners.

Under the Wings: 5.6 km with 153 m of climbing. A shorter, easier trail for recreational runners and trail beginners. Entry fee: 20 EUR, limited to 100 runners.

Blitwich: a 200 m kids race. Free to take part, with registration on the day of the race.

Registration for Under the Hill and Under the Wings is open through Tracey Sport. After the races, visitors can stay for a cooking workshop, a kids corner, a DJ, the “Guess the taste” quiz and a VR cinema by Davor Rostuhar.

Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon (October 24th and 25th)

The Makarska Half Marathon runs over two days, with races for children on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday. The 21.1 km course is officially certified and starts on the Makarska riva.

Saturday, October 24th: kids races, 5 km and a donation walk

Saturday belongs to the youngest runners. At Apfel Arena, children run races matched to their age, from 100 m for kindergarten children to two laps for older primary school pupils. In the afternoon, the 5 km race runs from the Makarska riva to Apfel Arena, together with a 3 km donation walk organised with the Makarska Riviera League Against Cancer, a way to take part without running.

Sunday, October 25th: half marathon and relay

The half marathon and the relay for teams of three (3 × 7 km) start on the Makarska riva. The course makes a loop around town, climbs to the panoramic road, passes through Tučepi and Podgora, and returns to the finish at Apfel Arena.

Hiking trail along a ridge on Biokovo mountain overlooking the sea

Mountain Way of the Cross from Brela to Igrane (October 24th and 25th)

On October 24th and 25th, the Makarska Riviera hosts the 24th Mountain Way of the Cross, a traditional gathering organised by the Student Catholic Centre Split (SKAC). This year’s motto is “Do not be afraid!” and around 200 young people from all over Croatia are expected.

Over two days, participants walk the route Brela, Makarska, Živogošće and Igrane, with prayer, song, time together, the stations of the cross and the spiritual guidance of priests. It is a quieter way to move along the coast, and a reminder that the Riviera’s paths have always carried more than sport.

Tips for families with children

Pick the kids’ races first. Blitwich in Podgora (October 17th) and the Saturday races at Apfel Arena (October 24th) are made for the youngest runners.

Bring bikes and scooters to Makarska on October 17th. The riva is closed to cars and open to bikes, scooters, and rollerblades.

Make the most of bablje lito. On warm days, a race morning can easily turn into an afternoon on a quiet beach.

Stay for the programme. Both Biciklijada and Blitvarun have entertainment, workshops and food after the main event.

See you on the course!

Bablje lito does not last forever, so make the most of it. Whether you are chasing a finish line on Biokovo, riding three laps of Makarska with your children or simply standing on the riva to cheer, this second summer is the time to be outside on the Makarska Riviera. Programmes can change, so check the details with each organiser before you go.

Lace up, Makarska Riviera: bablje lito calls for trails, bikes and finish lines