July 03, 2018 - "Čiker MTB Marathon 2018" started on Sunday, June 24, 2018. The marathon lasted for 10 days and did not have a competitive character. The start of the marathon was in Kraljevo, Serbia, and the goal was the Montenegrin city Ulcinj, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
From 2012, MTB "Čiker", in cooperation with tourist organizations from Serbia and Montenegro, organizes the "Čiker MTB Marathon", which starts from Kraljevo and ends in one of the cities in Montenegro. “Čiker“ was primarily formed as a recreational club, but soon the competitive part was formed as well. Ever since, the competition part has achieved very good results in competitions involving the club's competitors. Thus, in its history, the MTB "Čiker" had the FRY champion in the junior competition, the champion and vice-champion of the FRY in the women's competition, the sportswoman of the city of Kraljevo, and the winner of the 8th place at the Balkan Championship.
The aim of the marathon's organization is sports-tourism, which means that in addition to promoting cycling as a sport and a healthy lifestyle, the marathon promotes the tourism and cultural potential of the two countries. The marathon usually lasts for ten days and passes through the mountainous regions of the two countries, visiting the tourist centers, as well as cultural and other landmarks in these territories.
The total length of the marathon route was about 600 km, and on this route, the participants passed through many mountains in Serbia and Montenegro, passing through Guča, Požega, Nova Varoš, Prijepolje, Žabljak, Šavnik, Nikšić, Podgorica and Ulcinj. Cyclists, for the most part, traveled on macadam, forest and mountain roads. On the fifth day of the marathon, 28 June, cyclists crossed the border with Montenegro through Vukovo brdo, off the official border crossing, from where, through Mataruga and Kosanica, the route included the famous bridge on Đurđević Tara. The goal of the marathon was the southernmost point on the Montenegrin coast, Ulcinj. The ninth day of the marathon, 2 June, was organized as a day when the participants of the marathon had the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the Ulcinj beaches and Ada Bojana. The day after, 3 June, marathon participants returned to Kraljevo by bus, and their arrival is considered the official end of the "Čiker MTB Marathon 2018".
