Activities and News

 

 

17^th April 2008
The return of Janko Benša

Janko Benša said goodbye to the Belgrade spectators ten years with a victory in the half marathon at 11th Belgrade Marathon in 1998. A year later he went to the USA and did not run in Europe. In the last six he did not run or train at all, and yesterday he appeared unexpectedly at the press conference in order to announce his return to athletics and his participation in the marathon at the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon...
- This press conference in a surprise for me as well. I did not expect that. I came to run and I hope that I will disappoint neither myself nor Dejan Nikolić, who allowed me to return to marathon right here in Belgrade – said 30 year old Benša who in 1998, his first year as a senior, became national record holder in the half marathon with 1:02,11 (his record remains unsurpassed). Also that year, he clocked 13:34 in the 5000m and threatened Korica’s national record and announced successful athletic career. It was the first fruit of cooperation between him and the legendary coach Aleksandar Petrović. However, not long after that, Benša and his now wife Mirjana, former national team long-distance runner (née Glišović), went to the USA to study...
- Mirjana earned her M.A. degree and now teaches mathematics and statistics at a college, and I have returned to my studies which I had neglected in favour of running. For the first two or three years of my stay in the USA I was fairly successful at the college and later as a professional. However, as running was our only source of income, I had to run too much. I ran up to three races per week and I had no time to train or rest. I injured my Achilles tendon and that was the end of my running career. From 2002 to 2007 I took care of my children, and now, at the insistence of my wife and friends, I’m back to college and I run again.
Benša’s return to the athletics began in 2006 but was temporarily put on hold.
- I had come back to Serbia and met with professor Petrović. We had agreed to continue working together. I had just started with trainings according to his plans, when, unfortunately, three months later, the professor passed away and I gave up running once again. Still I began to train again last year as I planned to compete in the marathon in 2009, 2010. However, this year I completed the half marathon in San Diego and even though I was underprepared I ranked second with 1:04,38. Then I got in touch with Dejan Nikolić and here I am in Belgrade – said Benša who triumphed thrice in the San Diego Marathon and once in Austin, alongside many road races, including the New Year’s Eve Race in New York’s Central Park.
Benša’s personal best in the marathon is 2;14,11, while Serbia’s national record-holder is Borisav Dević with 2:13,57. Dević, now living in Australia, also holds the record for the best Serbian marathoner at the Belgrade Marathon (2:15,39, 1995).
- When I decided to come to Belgrade I phoned Dević and asked him if he minded if I broke his national record, and he sincerely wished me to. I will try but I cannot promise anything. I still haven’t acclimatised properly, but if that goes well and if the weather is good – all is possible – concluded Benša.
All these records can be found on the Delta Generali Insurance prize list and for Benša and other runners they represent a significant stimulus, but not the only one.
- The marathon Olympic norm for Beijing is 2:18 and it would be really great if, next to Olivera Jevtić who had already achieved the Olympic norm, we got Serbian representative in men’s marathon on Saturday – said Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon.

16.4.2008.
Citroen and marathoners running together
Famous car manufacturer with the Belgrade Marathon
Group of top runners from Kenya arrives today to Serbian capital

The Belgrade Marathon got its official vehicle. Dragan Lekić, general manager of Vitro Group, and Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd., signed a cooperation contract in Citroen showroom. Citroen C1 will carry the official clock and go in front of the leading group of participant of the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon.
- Marathon is one of the most important symbols of Belgrade. That is why we have decided to initiate cooperation, hopefully to everyone’s satisfaction. We signed a one year contract, but we are ready to extend it immediately to further two years – pointed out Dragan Lekić.
Alongside new sponsor, the Belgrade Marathon officials introduced several Kenyan athletes who will compete for the first place in men’s and women’s competitions. Manager Zane Branson said that all of them come from the famous Rift Valley.
- It is well-known that this area was affected by civil war. Many lives were lost, and many had to relocate from the warring areas. Each of the runners that will arrive to Belgrade has a story to tell, but the most important thing is that they had managed to train and get ready for marathon in spite of all difficulties. I think that the group in question is a very good one and provided we have good weather conditions, there is a real possibility that the course record of 2:10,54 might be broken.
Interestingly, the Kenyans started their journey yesterday from Eldoret. They travelled over 12 hours to Nairobi, from where they flew to Zurich to arrive this afternoon to Belgrade. Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon, pointed out that the marathon season is at its peak.
- In the last two weeks marathons were held in Turin, Paris, London, Rotterdam and several extraordinary results were achieved. In London the first three marathoners ran under the 2:06 mark, in Paris ten of the 15 best runners achieved their personal bests. I believe that we will have good results due to the excellent work of management, but we are also aware that it will never be possible to achieve top results in Belgrade. Firstly, due to the course configuration, and secondly, due to our financial limitations. However, I think that in all other aspects, organisational and humanitarian, we are not far behind major marathons.
The representatives of the Belgrade Association of Sports and Recreation for persons with disabilities awarded Nikolić a diploma acknowledging their long-term successful cooperation.
- We expect participation of over 100 people with disabilities in the 5km Fun Run. This year, for the first time, we will have a representative in the marathon. Vojislav Ćurulić will try to complete the marathon race. Persons with disabilities will meet up in from of Serbian Parliament on Saturday at 09:30. We will all wear T-shirts with slogan “We want to do sports too”, in order to bring the attention of public to inequality we still experience in our society – said Aleksandar Vujučić, secretary general of the Belgrade Association of Sports and Recreation for persons with disabilities.
Following the official end of press conference, Dragan Lekić presented Dejan Nikolić with keys to two cars Citroen C1.

End of cooperation with DHL

The Belgrade Marathon Ltd. ended its cooperation with representatives of DHL in Belgrade due to the unprofessional conduct – the cause of problems concerning take-over of race numbers for participants of 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon which will be held on the streets of Serbian capital on 19 April.
According to the press release of the event organiser, specialised company for production of water-repellent and durable race numbers Running IMP from London had prepared the order in time, but DHL failed to comply with the deadline for delivery, 13 April, which would secure unimpeded function of the Registration Centre.
- Due to a completely unprofessional, irresponsible and shameful conduct of DHL employees in Belgrade, the Belgrade Marathon participants were almost left without their race numbers. We ended the cooperation with them and after many complications, thanks to our friend Jovan Đurović, managed to bring the race numbers to Belgrade. Their unprofessional behaviour is best illustrated by the sentence “Well, isn’t marathon on Saturday 19 April?” – read the press release of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd.
The Belgrade Marathon Ltd. apologised to all participants for any inconveniences caused by having to come to the Registration Centre twice, and said to DHL that the cooperation with them is “over for good”.

15.4.2008
Belgrade is ready for marathon
Belgrade City Council, city secretariats and public utility services mobilised as every April

According to what was said at the yesterday’s press conference, Belgrade City Council and its public utility services are fully prepared for the marathon day – Saturday, 19 April.
- We want marathon to get better and better each year. That is a task we have given ourselves. Although it gets harder and harder every time to keep the promise, I am confident that the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon will be even more successful than the last one and that our job will be even more difficult the next year. All public utility services and city secretariats contribute to the success of marathon. The event already surpassed its competitive character and that is confirmed by the yesterday’s agreement with our Greek friends on the Marathon flame which gives Belgrade an event of wider social significance - said Andreja Mladenović, City Council member in charge of sports. He also invited the Belgraders and capital’s guests to take part in the running festival either as runners or as supporters and show the world Belgrade’s sports spirit.
Snežana Stevanović, City Secretary for Health Care, invited the participants of all three Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon races to be critical of their health and accordingly opt for the marathon, the half marathon or the 5,000m Fun Run. She also advised them to be aware of the danger of dehydration:
- Everyone should drink half a litre of water before start and then take a sip or two at every refreshment point...
Thirty medical teams - 15 City Ambulance teams with new paramedic vehicles, Students’ Polyclinic teams, teams of six public health centres and two teams of Serbian Red Cross, whose members are European first aid champions – will take care of the participants. The Emergency Centre and four clinical centres will be ready to admit possible serious cases on 19 April...
- The Traffic Management Centre has done various simulations and the traffic on Saturday 19 April will function far better than during the previous marathons – promised City Secretary Zoran Pešović. Figures speak for the complexity of the process: Fun Run requires closure of seven streets and 27 junctions, half marathon 20 streets and 48 junctions, and marathon 45 streets and boulevards and 105 junctions. That entails the alteration of bus routes and many other things. Public service “Beograd put” has already finished the lion’s share of preparations.
- Every April we reconstruct carriageways, and as always, the marathon course is our first priority. We have remedied all damage. All that is left is to do is secure and set up signalisation and barriers along the course – said Dragomir Spasić, technical director of “Beograd put”.

Touristic Organisation of Belgrade and Belgrade Marathon work together

Olivera Lazović, director of the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade, and Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon, signed a cooperation protocol yesterday at the City Hall. The protocol envisages a common promotion of Belgrade.
- Sport is what brings most guests to Belgrade, and marathon reaches out towards all people of sports spirit and good faith. In future, we will promote marathon in all of our public appearances, fairs and all printed materials, while the Belgrade Marathon will promote Belgrade’s events, touristic and sports destinations – said Olivera Lazović.

In Belgrade on 19 April Fun Runners will remind the world with a well-known number that Kosovo is a part of Serbia

Exactly at 12:44 yesterday ended the press conference which dealt with the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. It is hard to believe it was a coincidence as at that exact minute Aleksandar Đorđević announced that all the participants of the Fun Run will wear on their chest the number of the famous UN Security Council resolution on Kosovo.
It will be a clear message to the world and will be reinforced by the flame of marathon torch. Greek ambassador in Belgrade, His Excellency Christos Panagopoulos said:
- There are approximately 700 marathons worldwide. Link with the original historical event will give the marathon flame strength similar to that of the Olympic flame. It will shine in Belgrade on 19 April. I am truly honoured to announce such an event, especially as this is the Olympic year. This is at the same time the message of the Greek people to the Serbian people. I hope it will find its place in the hearts of Belgraders. As in the ancient times, the winners will be crowned with olive wreaths from the one of the oldest olive trees from the Marathon field. The history has it that a battle took place at the Marathon field in 490 BC when 10.000 Athenians triumphed over ten times stronger Persian army. Messenger Philippides ran all day looking for help from other Greek poleis. When the battle ended, he was sent to bring good tidings to his countrymen. He completed his task and exhausted but managed to utter: “We won!” and earned his place on Mount Olympus as the first marathon runner and journalist.
Spiridon Louis was the first to complete the course from the Marathon field to the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens at the first modern Olympic Games. The course was 36.074 km long (starting with the 1908 Olympic Games in London the course measures now internationally recognised 42.195 km).
Last year, on 3 November, at the Athens Classic Marathon which has its start at the resting place of warriors fell in the Marathon battle, a special ceremony was staged. It was dedicated to the Flame of marathon running and will be re-enacted each year. The idea is that this flame should burn at the start of each marathon on the planet, spreading the message of peace and friendship among people of different races and religions, reminding us on the roots of our civilization.
The first time it was lit in Xiamen in China on 4 January. In Belgrade it will burn with a special shine as the moment itself is special. The number on the Fun Runners’ chest - 1244 will indicate that. King Lazar’s 1389 happened half-way between 490BC and our time, and the story of an attack by ten times stronger army seems never-ending.
We will try to respond with a calm display of resoluteness, not with 10.000 troops, but with a far larger number of marathon heroes fighting for truth, as it was emphasised over and over at the press conference.
– The spring is in the air, the time is for marathon – said Zoran Alimpić, acting mayor of Belgrade. – Involvement of the Greek Embassy and the marathon flame give a new dimension to our event, which will undoubtedly echo worldwide. That is why I would like to invite Belgraders to take part in the Fun Run in as large numbers as possible.
Draginja Đurić, the first lady of the Executive Board of title sponsor, Banca Intesa, expressed her satisfaction with the three-year long cooperation with the Belgrade Marathon Ltd.:
– I would like to thank Mr Đorđević and Mr Nikolić on a very successful cooperation. Marathon teaches us endurance, thirst for victory and will power to reach the finish line, all that stimulates and sustains us.
She also announced that the title sponsor might come up with additional stimulus for the Fun Runners, but she failed to reveal the idea completely.
Vlajko Senić, State Secretary for Sport, invited the Belgrades to start with preparations for one of country’s biggest sports events and get involved in large numbers to achieve a common goal:
– Promotion of Belgrade.