Kalemegdan, the agelong witness of the development of civilization at
the confluence of the Danube and Sava, the site on which Belgrade was
born and on which it grew, on which was destroyed and re-erected from
the ashes, on October 14th will be the scene of another great battle,
only this time it will be a sports battle, the Fifth Belgrade Race
Through History.
Under the patronage of City Council of Belgrade, and in organization of
Belgrade Marathon, about twenty world’s top athletes will race through
the forgotten “streets“ of Lower and Upper Town of Belgrade fort.
Six vivid kilometers of Belgrade Race Through History will lead
contestants along the the traces of Sings, Celts, Romans, ancient Slavs,
Turks, Austrians, Hungarians, Germans and Serbs. The race is to
undertake the role of special cultural and historical guide through the
parks and walls, gates and bridges, churches, monuments and museums of
Belgrade fortress.
Notable names of world’s running movement have come to Belgrade. The
mixture of sports, culture and history which we offer, together with our
coorganizers, has left strong impression on them, and we believe that
you, who are coming for the first time on this sports encounter with
culture and history, will fell the same.
We hope that the Fifth Belgrade Race Through History will exceed its
predecessors and contribute in a new way to the rich history of Belgrade
fortress and that guests will have the opportunity to spend the
unforgettable day at Kalemegdan.
The race distance is 5 834 meters and starts in the front of the Gate of
Karl VI in the Lower Town. The athletes will run three loops in the
lower Town (the loop is in front of the Gate of Karl VI and partly
behind it, passing through the Gate itself with each loop). With the
completition of the third loop, the course climbs the hill to the Church
of St. Petka, and the Church of Ruzica through Dizdar Tower, and
proceeding to Zindan Gate, and Despot Gate.
Then following the course to the Turbe of Damaid Ali Pasha, and around
the monument of the Victor, then passing the Building of the Institute
for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, through Sahat Gate, and Inner
Stambol Gate, then along the ramparts and walls of the Military Museum
and proceeding to King’s Gate.
From King’s Gate, up the steps and passing the Roman Well, then back
through Despot and Zindan Gates, then proceeding along the ramparts and
again through Inner Stambol Gate, to the Natural History Museum, the
turning right to Karageorges Gate, beside the “Monument of Gratitude to
France” and through the Park of Kalemegdan, and finally finishing on the
Promenade above the River Sava.
