Radenci, a border town in the north-east known for its mineral water and spas, will host the 41st iteration of the Three Hearts Marathon on 20 May. Kenyan runners have been invited to set the pace.

The marathon, named after the three hearts logo of the Radenska water brand, will feature runs of 42, 21, ten and five kilometres plus a 10-kilometre Nordic walking course and more.

The organizers expect between 8,000 and 10,000 active participants to take part in various events, from a hike to a run with dogs. Adults will be running in the morning and children in the afternoon.

Registration is possible until 10 May but early birds will be entitled to a discounted entry fee until 19 April.

"This time last year we didn't know how we'd be able to carry the marathon through due to pandemic restrictions, but it has been much easier this year," Marko Pintarič, a representative of the organizers, told reporters on 13 April.

"The [full marathon] course will remain the same as in 2022, but the ten- and five-kilometre runs and the Nordic walking will follow somewhat changed routes," he added.

In a bid to keep the marathon at the top level, the organizers have invited a few runners from Kenya, including one with a personal best of 2:14.

Some of the best Slovenian marathon runners will also take part and the half-marathon and the Nordic walking will also count toward the national championship.

There will also be championships for military personnel at distances of 21km and 2km.

"Your marathon is such a fun we like to come back, people will tell us time and again," Boštjan Gerlec, the head of the organising committee, said.

He pointed out that former President Borut Pahor, who has featured regularly at the marathon, noted the good spirits and the long tradition of the event as assets when he attended last year.

The plan for the marathon to take the runners across the border to Austria has been abandoned because the country has just extended border checks again.

The oldest running event in the region partnered with the NGO Ecologists Without Borders last year to go waste-free.

"We separately collected roughly 700 kilos of waste, 91.5% of all. It translated into only 156 grammes per participant, which compares to up to a kilo per runner abroad," said Katja Sreš, the NGO's head.

After being held in virtual format for two years, the marathon saw good turnout in person last year.