Saturday, April 22^nd 2006

20^th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon 2007
19^th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon
18^th Belgrade Delta Sport Marathon

 

‘TOO OLD’ KENYAN RACES TO RECORD VICTORY

Japhet Kosgei put three years of indifferent performances behind him, and did exactly as he promised the day before, winning the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon on Saturday, in 2.10.54, a new course record. The 38 year old Kenyan from Eldoret predicted both victory and the record, and he took over a minute off the previous best mark, 2.12.10. His compatriot, Festus Kioko Kikumu was also under the old record, with 2.11.30 in second place, and Ruben Mutumwo made it a Kenyan clean sweep, finishing third in 2.13.31.

Kosgei had played the previous day’s press conference like a stand-up comedian, telling the audience that his loss of form after three sub-2.08 performances and victories in Rotterdam ’99, Toko ’00 and Lake Biwa ’03 was due to getting married, then adding after laughter, “and starting a business”.

He elaborated after his victory. “People said I was too old, including my previous manager. But I was concentrating too much on my printing business, now I’m concentrating on running again, business can wait ‘til I retire. My body feels the same as six, seven years ago, when I was running 2.07. Now I want to keep on running, and break the world record for a 40 year old”.

That is 2.08.46, by Andres Espinosa of Mexico, set in Berlin ’03. And the way Koegei frisked away from his compatriots in Belgrade suggest that he may well achieve it. In clement cloudy weather, and temperatures rising from 10-15C throughout the race, Kosgei stayed with a group of eight until 35k, before easing away to victory.

“We always say that the start of the race is 35k. I wanted to know who would follow me, and no one followed, everything worked perfectly”. In fact, Kikumu tried to follow, but as he said afterwards, “I was not surprised that it was Kosgei who went away. After I talked to him yesterday, I knew he would win, and I knew I would be second”. Mutumwo said, “I wanted to follow, but if you go at someone else’s pace, you might not finish, so I ran at my own pace. I’m still learning, maybe next time, the result will be different”.

It was the experience of almost 20 marathons which won the women’s race for Halina Karnatsevitch. At halfway, the Belorussian was 1min 20sec down on relative newcomer, Chemokil Chilapong of Kenya. But Chilapong, having her first race outside Kenya was too optimistic, and was caught at 30k. Karnatsevitch won in 2.34.35, with Chilapong second in 2.36.10. Ethiopian, Adenech Beyene was third in 2.41.12.

Former track and field superstar, Carl Lewis fired the starting signal, and presented the awards afterwards, including the Fred Lebow Trophy for both winners. Lewis, 44 said, “the longest I’ve ever run is 10k, well I don’t say run, I jogged. If I ever wake up one morning, and really want to test myself physically, it would be at the marathon, but it would be jogging. These guys are the heroes, the real runners”.
 

WHAT THE BEST RUNNERS SAID ABOUT THE 19TH BELGRADE BANCA INTESA MARATHON

Japhet Kosgei (Kenya), marathon winner and new record-holder:
- As I have already promised, I broke the course record. I felt great, and the course suited me. I felt I would be fast and I am on good form. I stayed with the group from the start until 35k, and then I broke away. I thought somebody might follow me, but nobody did. At one point I saw somebody gaining on me so I picked up my pace. Especially important for my setting a record is how I organised the running of race. A vehicle that followed us set the pace perfectly which contributed to my breaking the course record. I would like to thank the organisers, I feel great and I believe that this victory and great result would help me to begin running about 2:07 mark that I used to achieve easily. I am certain that the fact that I’ll turn 40 soon would not stand in the way of my achieving top performances and that I would get faster in time.

Kioko Kikumu (Kenya), second-placed in marathon:
- I was not surprised with the second place, I had expected it. I know what Kosgei can do, so that it was clear to me before the race even that he would win, and that I would be second. Marathon races practically start at 35k after the group has got to know each other and has a fairly good idea of who could do what. It was then that I was definitely sure who would win and who would be second.

Ruben Mutumwo (Kenya), third-placed in marathon:
- My team mates claim that the race starts at 35k. I think that it began much earlier for me, at 5k. We, the Kenyan marathon runners, train at different locations and we don’t know each others’ form. As marathons are decided by finesses, though the race is long, we’ve become aware of how much the others can do only after the 35k mark. I am happy with my placement at this years’ race.

Halina Karnatsevitch (Belarus), marathon winner:
- Before the race and at the very beginning I was sure that I would win, that I was fully prepared. At halfway, I was not so sure. I am sorry I failed to achieve a better result. I think I made a mistake to speed up and leave the Kenyan behind me in the second half of the race. If we had continued to run side by side my result would have been much better.

Chemokil Chilapong (Kenya), second-placed in marathon:
- I kept a strong pace for the first 20 kilometres, but I don’t think that was a mistake. Halina was simply faster than I this time. She demonstrated that in the second half of the race. I am completely satisfied both with the result and placement.

Adenech Beyene (Ethiopia), third-placed in marathon:
- Unfortunately, I didn’t get enough rest, as I had arrived here only the day before the race. That surely prevented me from achieving a better result. The course is not tough, on the contrary, but I didn’t feel all too well. I hope, however, that I will come next year to Belgrade and do much better in every way.

Iaroslav Mushinski (Moldova), half marathon winner:
- This year’s victory, the fifth of my six participation in half marathon in Belgrade, is especially important to me, as I have taken part in seven races in the past seven weeks. The organisation was great, as always, and I would like to point out that I love to run not only in Belgrade, but in Serbia as well. I took part in many races in your country, and I will be running in Kosovo in ten days’ time.

Dejan Bogićević (SCG), second-placed in marathon:
- I was third all the way to the Brankov Bridge when I gathered all my strength to finish the race. I would like to thank my family for bringing me back to the running course. The excellent placement in half marathon is my best result at the Belgrade race and I am especially pleased with that.

Ana Subotić (SCG), half marathon winner:
- After the first ten kilometres, I have changed the pace which brought me the victory. I am happy with the placement, but not with the result, as I can do much better.

Adam Draczynski, (Poland), winner of the 2nd Army Championships CISM:
- The marathon race was very strong, and all the runners were worthy opponents. I congratulate you on the excellent organisation. Nice weather contributed to a good general impression. I expected a slightly better result, but I am pleased because I have started and finished the race on good form. Some time back running in Poland, I had experienced certain health difficulties during the race so for me it was really important for things to go as planned.

Allen Steinfeld with marathon winners

21 April 2006
Carl Lewis: I’ll run the marathon too

The sporting community worldwide must have heard today about the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. The best athlete of all time arrived yesterday in the late afternoon at Belgrade and, from the moment his plane landed at the Surčin airport, found himself in the centre of public attention. In a visibly good mood and pleased to be the promoter of the Belgrade Marathon, Lewis yet again demonstrated the magnitude of his stardom. His very presence represents an inspiration not only to the athletes and sports enthusiasts in our country, but also to a numerous host of Lewis’ admirers in Serbia and Montenegro. Media representatives flocked to cover his every step, starting from his arrival, and that was best shown at an extremely visited press conference in Belgrade City Hall following Lewis’ meeting with the mayor of Belgrade, Nenad Bogdanović.
- I really like it here – said Lewis at the very beginning. – I would like to express my gratitude for all that I have experienced so far and for all the nice things said to me by many people in Belgrade. Marathon definitely has a bright future here for, as I understand, sitting at this table there are two top athletes, amazing organisers, host, the state’s sports officials and the representative of an excellent sponsor.

At the Press conference

Lewis pointed out that he was aware of the importance of his visit for the marathon development, that is, the promotion of athletics in general in Serbia and Montenegro.
- I’ve been planning for years to come here, as you must know. And finally here I am. A marathon is a great sports event that links sports to a city and a community in general. A marathon involves a large structure of different people and represents in itself a proper way for a promotion of sports values among the young population. I am confident that this movement will but continue to grow in your country.

Carl Lewis' Public Class in Athletics

The ninefold Olympic medallist, two of his medals were won in sprint races, said that he had a special respect for marathon runners, not only for those who compete professionally, but also for anyone who set out to conquer 42,195m course.
- In my mind, it is an accomplishment to cover this course in a car, let alone running. The longest I ran, jogged, was 10 km so that I fully appreciate the efforts of marathon runners, - said Lewis. When asked if he might someday try and run a marathon, Lewis replied: No, I am not planning to do that at the moment, but I’m sure that I will try to achieve that feat in my lifetime. That would be a real challenge. For me marathon is more that just running. And because of that I am very happy to be here, to spent some time with the winners of the Children’s Marathon and teach them a public class, to make friends with all of you and exchange energy and show support and thus mark this year’s race.

Carl Lewis' Public Class in Athletics

Having thanked in Serbian to everybody present, after the end of the official part of the press conference Lewis answered the questions dealing with his illustrious career. He selected the two most important events of his life: the winning of the first of his nine Olympic medals and the winning of his last Olympic medal in Atlanta in 1996. Lewis said that he considered himself a lucky man as he had never had a dilemma whether to continue competing once he had decided to retire; he also said that it had taken him two years to relax and start getting involved in the work of his foundation dealing with sports education of children, adolescents and families, and of course to run his businesses.

Carl Lewis' Public Class in Athletics

The best athlete of all time according to the official poll of the IAAF must have enquired about the tendencies of track-and-field development in our country during the protocol and apparently cordial meetings with the city and republic officials, for he pointed out that he had learned about the plan to build an athletic stadium in Belgrade. In an answer to a question posed by Aleksandar Milenković, our best long-jumper and sometimes Lewis’ rival, how he saw the possibility of athletics development, Carl Lewis expounded:
- An athletic stadium will be of great importance to Belgrade. Creating conditions such as facilities, sports centres and other are crucial for the development of athletics. Also important is the creating of role models for the youngest. I see no reason why Europe does not have the fastest sprinter. For instance, more than a million people live in Serbia and Montenegro alone. I am sure that one of them can be a top sprinter. Select someone, who has quality, and send this person to us, to my centre to train under our programme. That person will become a top sprinter, I promise.

Carl Lewis' Public Class in Athletics

Lewis drew most attention at the crowded City Hall, but the same attention was dedicated to the favourites of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, Kenya’s Japhet Kosgei and Belarus’ Halina Karnatsevich. Both promised good results, hoping for course records even.
- I am in good form, in training, I expect to run a good result, - said Halina Karnatsevich, hinting at the possibility to better the current course record of
2:29,44 set by Cristina Pomacu in 2001.
Kosgei is well-known among the track-and-field fans. He triumphed in Rotterdam and Lake Biwa Marathons and ranked second in the New York City Marathon. He ran three times under 2 hour and 8 minute mark in his career, a career that stagnated somewhat in the last few years, but…
- I got married recently and now I hope things will change for better, - said sincerely Kosgei winning the sympathies of all present. – I train seriously and I hope for a result in the range of my top achievements, which would also make the Belgrade course record.

The Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon whose promoter is Carl Lewis surely intrigued more than just sports fans. Words of praise and hints of future successful cooperation both in further development of this race and the athletics in general were imparted by Nenad Bogdanović, the mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Šoštar, head of Directorate of Sports of Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, and Draginja Đurić, general manager of the title sponsor Banca Intesa.

20 April 2006
VOJISLAV KOŠTUNICA MEETS WITH CARL LEWIS

„The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Vojislav Koštunica met today with the renowned US athlete Carl Lewis.
Carl Lewis arrived at Belgrade in the capacity of the promoter of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon which is to be held on Saturday, 22 April.
Koštunica said that he was honoured to meet the most successful athlete of the 20th century and pointed out that Carl Lewis’ visit to Serbia represents a major event for all athletics and sports aficionados. The Prime Minister recalled the year 1994 when Carl Lewis had sent a video invitation to the participants of the Belgrade Marathon and thanked him for coming to Belgrade and agreeing to be the promoter of the Belgrade Marathon, an event that had become one of the landmarks of our capital.
Carl Lewis expressed his gratitude for a cordial and friendly welcome he had been given in Belgrade and said that it was a great pleasure for him to visit a country known worldwide for sports and its great sports achievements. Lewis introduced the work of his sports foundation to the prime minister and emphasised that he was greatly honoured for having been given an opportunity to help young athletes and share his experience and knowledge.
Vojislav Koštunica expressed his belief that the Belgrade Marathon would be a success and that Carl Lewis would visit Belgrade again. The American champion presented the Serbian prime minister with his shirt and said that this would not be his only visit to Serbia“, reads the official statement of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

20 April 2006
AHEAD OF THE 19th BELGRADE BANCA INTESA MARATHON
Just like the Danube – the Marathon brings down all the barriers

The beauty of marathon races lies in the fact that each one is special, they differ from city to city in which they are held, from year to year, when there is a tradition – like the tradition of the Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon and, across the ocean, of one of the world’s most famous 42, 195m races, the New York City Marathon. The links between the marathons in Belgrade and New York, however, extend beyond the course length, and are mirrored in the cooperation of managements of both organisations, one that spans over the years and that was the main focus of a press conference held at Belgrade City Hall. Also present at the press conference was Allen Steinfeld, director of the New York City Marathon.
- I would like to thank the Belgrade marathon and Dejan Nikolić especially for keeping alive the memory of Fred Lebow, the father of modern marathon movement and founder of the New York City Marathon with whom I have worked closely from the first race held in the Central Park back in 1970 to his death, - said Allen Steinfeld on the eve of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon which is to be held on 22 April and whose winners will be awarded the Fred Lebow Trophy.

Two days before the start – press conference at Belgrade City Hall

- The friendship of the Belgrade Marathon and Fred Lebow was truly a close one and as far as I know he visited Belgrade twice and took part in this great event both as a participant and as a promoter. He knew what was important for the world marathon movement, and he proved that by joining forces with me in an attempt to turn a race that on its first year gathered but a hundred enthusiasts into an event that is attended annually by 100,000 people from all over the world, either as participants or as organisers, and which is watched by millions of direct spectators and TV viewers. This is how it is in New York and hopefully how it will be in Belgrade one day.
Steinfeld reminded everybody on an often quoted comment of Fred Lebow “You cannot bring the people to a marathon, you must bring the marathon to the people“, and such reasoning culminated in the year 2000 with an idea of awarding the Franjo Mihalić Trophy to the best home runners.
The silver medallist of the toughest track-and-field event at the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956, Franjo Mihalić recently celebrated his 86th birthday. Vigorous, smiling and talkative, he stressed:
- I hope that this Trophy carrying my name will serve as an inspiration to our marathon runners to train even harder. We have a long and rich marathon tradition since after the Second World War that continues until today with the excellent results achieved by Olivera Jevtić at the marathons all over the world, - said Mihalić, and added with a smile that he had never had the chance to compete at the New York Marathon, for when he had been in top form the race had not been held, but that he had had a pleasure of participating in the Boston Marathon and triumphing.

This year the marathon runners have a unique chance to compete for the new trophy – the Lav Trophy (the Lion Trophy) for the most “lionesque“ feat. Aleksandar Radosavljević, the commercial director of Carlsberg Serbia, a company to sponsor the Lav press centre of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, explained this contextually rich marketing campaign:
- All participants of the marathon race are lions and lionesses, but this time an expert commission will monitor the runners and select the winners of this special award. The Trophy will be awarded to the greatest lion or lioness of all, that is, the participant who demonstrates his or her „lion-heartedness“ and invests the greatest effort of all, regardless of his or her result. The aim of Carlsberg Serbia is to make this Trophy a traditional part of the Belgrade Marathon, all in accordance with our famous motto „Either you are – or you’re not“, - said Aleksandar Radosavljević at the press conference.

The 2nd Regional Army Marathon Championships will be held within the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. The members of the military forces of Albania, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, FYR Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro will take part.
- The guests have already arrived at Belgrade. The favourites are the members of the Polish army, who triumphed last year both in individual and team competitions. The army forces of Serbia and Montenegro will try and find their chance in the team placement, and our trump card is corporal Goran Čegar, the state marathon champion, – expounded major general Vidosav Kovačević, head of the Military Academy in Belgrade.

- We are doing our best to make the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon the most successful so far as it represents a turning point for us and the 20th anniversary of the Belgrade Marathon the next year. Therefore, the arrivals of Allen Steinfeld and the promoter Carl Lewis are invaluable, - said Dejan Nikolić. Andreja Mladenović, a member of the City Council, once again invited the Belgraders to greet the marathoners along the course and show their true, beautiful faces to the world.

April 19^th 2006
AHEAD OF THE 19th BELGARDE BANCA INTESA MARATHON ON 22 APRIL

REEBOK Fun Run invites the Belgraders

A success of an event such as a marathon depends upon a great number of things, and according to what has been said at a press conference at the art gallery “Ozone”, the organisers of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, the Belgrade Marathon Ltd. and Belgrade City Council have done all that was in their power. The only thing that remains is to look at the skies and see if they would show mercy towards the runners on Saturday, 22 April.
- Those who have been with us for a long time remember the year 1994 when Carl Lewis was to promote the marathon. They remember that the weather was the same, it was raining cats and dogs, but they also remember that Bukhanov set the course record of 2:12,27, that remained unsurpassed until the last year, and that in spite of the rain, the number of participants of the Fun Run still remains the greatest ever. However, we hope for a better weather than 12 years ago and today - no rain, no wind more importantly, but not too hot at the same time. Marathon is a specific event and its results depend immensely on the weather conditions, - said Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon.
Carl Lewis, top athlete of the 20th century, arrives today to Belgrade and at 19:00 he will host a fundraising cocktail party for UNICEF programme “School without Violence” at “NIS Petrol”, announced Nikolić.
- On Friday, Lewis will attend the last press conference before the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon at the City Hall, and in the afternoon he will teach a public class in track-and-field to the fastest participants of the Children’s Smoki Marathon, and all those who wish to join him in raising funds for “School without Violence” are welcome to bid at the internet auction sale of autographed shirts and balls from the 126th derby between Partizan and Red Star, - added the director of the Belgrade Marathon.
This year, Carl Lewis will invite “live” the citizens of Belgrade to attend the marathon on Saturday and take part in one of its races. Also calling for participation were Andreja Mladenović, the City’s official in charge of sports, and Desanka Vasiljević, on behalf of the Fun Run title sponsor, REEBOK.
- It was important for the City Council that the Children’s Smoki Marathon be a success, and we are extremely satisfied with the goings-on at the Belgrade Zoo. What’s more important, the participants were also satisfied, and I expect it to be the same with the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. All City’s public and communal services have completed their work, the Secretariat of Sports and Youth and the Secretariat of Education have launched a campaign to encourage as many pupils as possible to attend the marathon and take part primarily in the REEBOK Fun Run. I also invite the rest of the Belgradres to show up at the marathon. It would be great if they could participate, but it is as important to come and greet the participants from all over the world, and the guests, one of which is Carl Lewis, - said Andreja Mladenović.
- REEBOK devotes a lot of attention to the running programme, improves the technology that would help runners to achieve better results, and invests in the marathon movement worldwide. Two weeks ago REEBOK was the title sponsor of the Paris Marathon, and we will be present in Belgrade on Saturday through the 5000m REEBOK Fun Run. We invite the Belgraders, big and small, to take part, - said Desanka Vasiljević, marketing manager of “ENTRIX“, the official dealer of REEBOK.
Their involvement will be closely observed, according to the words of Pat Butcher, in charge of foreign media, all over the world. TV images from Belgrade will be broadcast on a number of satellite and cable channels and networks worldwide, press reports on the Belgrade Marathon will be published in many daily newspapers and specialized running magazines all over the globe – and the interest shown is, thanks to Carl Lewis, greater than ever...

April 18^th 2006
FIVE DAYS TO THE 19th BELGRADE BANCA INTESA MARATHON

50,000 euros for a world record

The Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon entered the exclusive circle of world’s marathons to boast high world record bonuses.
- For the first time in its history, the Belgrade Marathon will give bonuses for world records. At the initiative of the Belgrade Marathon, “Delta Osiguranje” (Delta Insurance) will reward the marathon runner who sets the new world record with 50,000 euros. We don’t know if such a feat can be realistically expected, but “Delta Osiguranje” have provided the bonuses for the potential world record-holders, and also the bonuses in the amount of 3000 euros for the course records, which are, at this point, doubtlessly, more realistic, - said Ratko Živković, head of PR and marketing department of “Delta Osiguranje“.
Dejan Nikolić, director of the Belgrade Marathon expressed his satisfaction with this decision:
- In a crowded calendar of major marathons, which goes especially for April, when Europe alone hosts the races in Zurich, Paris, Wroclaw, Linz, London, Madrid, Hamburg and so on, it is difficult to attract top-notch athletes, especially European ones. With this in view, bonuses for course records, and particularly for world records, become our trump card. They will allow us to secure even more quality runners in the following years, they will enhance the performance level thus making the Belgrade Marathon even more attractive. World record bonuses that at this moment remain – realistically speaking – in the domain of theory, will thus come closer to the domain of practice...
Judging from the words of Zoran Jovanović of the City’s Secretariat of Sports, Belgrade City Council did its best to make this year’s marathon even more successful than the previous ones.
- The City’s public and communal services had all that needed to be done for the Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon on their annual plans and everything was completed on time, which will contribute not only to an unimpeded execution of marathon, but will also enable the world to see the most beautiful image of our capital, - added Zoran Jovanović.
The City made an effort to motivate the Belgraders, the youngest ones especially, to take part in the 5000m REEBOK Fun Run.
- The Secretariat of Sports and Youth in cooperation with the Secretariat of Education, invited the pupils of Belgrade’s primary and secondary school to take part in the Fun Run in great numbers. We have provided free transport in partnership with “Lasta“ for the children from remote municipalities, and we are expecting the record participation in this holiday race, - said Jovanović.
On Saturday, side by side with the elite and recreational runners, the disabled athletes will find themselves at the start of the Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon.
- We expect the participation of over 100 people with different disabilities in the Fun Run. Our goal is not only to promote sports and recreation among the disabled, but also to draw attention of the wider public to their needs, in order to create conditions for their practising sports (architecturally and financially), which would contribute to their more successful biological and socio-psychological rehabilitation, - stressed Aleksandar Vujčić, consultant of the Belgrade Association of Sports and Recreation for people with disabilities.

 

ON THE EVE OF THE 19th BELGARDE BANCA INTESA MARATHON

6 April 2006
Mutai and Kosgei rivals for the Fred Lebow Trophy

Judging by the first reports, the 19th Belgrade BANCA INTESA Marathon (to be held on 22 April) will put the existing course records in danger.
The candidates for the Fred Lebow Trophy, awarded to the marathon winners in men’s and women’s competitions, will surely be Kenya’s Elijah Mutai and Japhet Kosgei, Belarus’ Halina Karnatsevich and Kenya’s Ann Jelagat Kibor, but will they threaten the course records of Ethiopia’s Bedada set last year (2:12,10) and Romania’s Pomacu set in 2001 (2:29,44) remains to be seen on 22 April.
Mutai’s personal best is 2:09,27 of the last year’s major Chosun Chuncheon Marathon in Korea. Kosgei set his fantastic personal best of 2:07,07, which was long amongst the best world times, triumphing in Rotterdam in 1999. In a long series of excellent results Kosgei triumphed in the famous Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan in 2003 with 2:07,39, and he placed second in the Vienna Marathon last year (2:25,25).
Belarus’ Karnatsevich did well in one of the strongest marathon races of all time held last year at the Helsinki IAAF World Championships. She placed twelfth with a respectable personal best of 2:27,24. Kenya’s Kibor (personal best 2:29,23) triumphed in the marathons in Milan in 2003, Venice in 2003, Capri in 2004, Prague in 2003, Brunei in 2005...
Their personal bests excel the Belgrade marathon course records. That is an amazing preview of the 19th Belgrade BANCA INTESA Marathon, that will be honoured by the presence of a special guest – Kenya’s Cosmas Ndeti, a three-time winner and the record-holder of the world’s oldest marathon, the Boston Marathon (2:07,15).
He will be accompanied by Serbia and Montenegro’s own record-holder Olivera Jevtić who will, on Monday 17 April on the 110th Boston Marathon, attempt to improve her third place won in 2004.
 

4 April 2006
Carl Lewis for “School without Violence”

On Saturday 22 April the streets of Serbia and Montenegro’s capital will host the 19th Belgrade BANCA INTESA Marathon – for School without Violence.
The Belgrade Marathon, its guests and partners joined the project organised by UNICEF in cooperation with the Ministries of Health, Labour and Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, its key figures being UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia and Montenegro Aleksandar Đorđević, the administrative board chairman of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd., and the Belgrade BANCA INTESA Marathon promoter and best athlete of all time Carl Lewis.
- Carl Lewis will arrive in Belgrade on 20 April and his first task will be to co-host with Aleksandar Đorđević, a fundraising cocktail party, organised by UNICEF and “NIS Petrol”, the proud sponsor of Lewis’ stay in Belgrade, - said Dejan Nikolić, the director of the Belgrade Marathon at the press conference held in Medija centar.
- The marathon forms a part of Belgrade’s tradition, the marathon is a competition that promotes major athletes that come to Belgrade, but the marathon is also a part of a healthy growing-up of our children, - said Slobodan Vuksanović, the Minister of Education and Sports at the presentation of the project “School without Violence” now involving charity-aware runners, a programme that strengthens the long-term cooperation of the Belgrade Marathon and UNICEF. On the global level the cooperation of UNICEF and the AIMS started in 1994.
The Belgrade Marathon in the capacity of a mediator involved in the project the eternal football rivals.
- Thanks to the understanding exercised by the managements of Partizan and Red Star, special shirts were produced for the 126th football derby and autographed by the players (including two original „derby“ balls) and will be auctioned on the Belgrade Marathon web-page. We continue our charity campaign initiated last year with the magazine „CorD“ intended for the foreigners living in Belgrade, primarily diplomats and businessmen. A considerable amount of funds they raise either personally or through donations by taking part in the marathon will be allocated to the programme „School without Violence“, - expounded Dejan Nikolić.
Ann-Lis Svensson, UNICEF Area Representative for Serbia and Montenegro stressed that the first part of the campaign, thanks to UNICEF National Ambassador Aleksandar Đorđević, yielded a total of $198,000, and additional 17,3 million dinars in donations:
- I am satisfied with the existing partnership with the Belgrade Marathon and I hope that the funds raised will enable us to, in addition to 54 schools currently involved in the project “School without Violence”, include another 50 schools next year.
A significant resources are expected to be obtained from sale of the T-shirts featuring UNICEF and the 19th Belgrade BANCA INTESA Marathon – School without Violence logo.
- Thanks to an exceptional cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Directorate of Sports, Belgrade City Council, which is fully behind our projects, and UNICEF, we expect more than 18,000 youngest Belgraders to take part in the qualifiers for the Children’s Smoki Marathon, and a considerably larger participation in the Fun Run on 22 April. The City Secretariat of Sports issued 25,000 race numbers intended for the pupils of primary and secondary schools. As they are in great demand we expect a participation of approximately 40 to 50 thousands of school children, which makes marathon an excellent opportunity to send out positive messages to them, - said Nikolić, adding that this is a way for the Belgrade Marathon to give something back to the wider community.

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Promotion of “Marathon without Violence” in Medija centar
 

10 March 2006
BANCA INTESA - the Title Sponsor of the Belgrade Marathon

The Belgrade marathon has a new title sponsor. It is Italy-based BANCA INTESA so that in the streets of our capital, on 22 April, the 19th Belgrade BANCA INTESA marathon will be run.
In the international press centre, a contract of title sponsorship has been signed by BANCA INTESA general manager Draginja Đurić and director of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd. Dejan Nikolić, who said:
- I am exceptionally pleased with the fact that the partnership with BANCA INTESA has come about. It is important that in preparing for the partnership we were simultaneously preparing for the marathon. To put it in banking terms – we seized the opportunity and got a mid-term three-year loan. Hopefully, we will repay our title sponsor with the interest, clearly, not in money but by being good organisers. I would like us to be one of the BANCA INTESA hits, definitely not a one-summer hit. The long-term improvement of the marathon, in all of its segments, could not have occurred without the assistance of the City Secretariat of Sports and the Directorate of Sports of the Republic of Serbia, who will continue to support us.
Draginja Đurić expressed her belief that the financial arrangement made with the Belgrade Marathon should enable a successful event.
- We are proud to sponsor the Belgrade marathon, a mass event that is acknowledged worldwide. It is a logical step as our bank is present in all the other areas – such as culture, education, supporting young professionals…
Andreja Mladenović, an official of the City Council in charge of the sports stressed his satisfaction with BANCA INTESA’s involvement in the capital’s most prominent sports event:
- Activities of the Belgrade authorities concerning the marathon are increasing and we’ll have more information for the next press conference. The marathon is the common interest of the people of Belgrade and Serbia, united around the queen of sports. We would like to thank BANCA INTESA for their correct judgement that the Belgrade marathon is the event of the year in our city.
Dejan Nikolić promised a richer marathon both financially and content-wise. Thus the Children’s Smoki Marathon receives its upgrade in the form of the project “Let’s Start with Sports”. The Belgrade marathon will serve again this year as the official Balkan Championships.
Prize money is increased, and over the next three years the quality of men’s and women’s race, as well as the bonuses, should be evened.
The Fred Lebow Trophy, established in the memory of the former director of the New York City Marathon and awarded to the winner of the Belgrade marathon, will be presented by Allen Steinfeld, one of the two vice-presidents of the Association of International Marathons and Road Races and director of the New York City Marathon.
The 2006 Belgrade marathon’s charity is dedicated to UNICEF campaign “School without Violence”. The key link in the campaign is our former basketball national team player Aleksandar Đorđević, the administrative board chairman of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd. and UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia and Montenegro.
- I have always committed myself to the projects I like, but also to those that are important for Belgrade and Serbia. I am happy that the Belgrade Marathon have found such a reliable partner in BANCA INTESA, with whose help we will take marathon to the next level. I would like to express my gratitude to Draginja Đurić and everybody at BANCA INTESA. Of course, the support of the Belgrade authorities is very important. Only together can we achieve top results, - said Aleksandar Đorđević, the administrative board chairman of the Belgrade Marathon Ltd. and the coach of Armani Jeans from Milan, who took part in the press conference via video link from Italy.