Runners from 50 countries to roll through Belgrade on Sunday

BELGRADE - Sinisa Mali, newly elected mayor of the Serbian capital, calls on the citizens to join him in the Fun Run at the 27th Belgrade Marathon on Sunday.

“A record participation of over 20,000 runners from 50 countries has been announced,” Mali said during a press conference at the Belgrade City Assembly.

“The Belgrade Marathon is a great opportunity to confirm that Belgrade has been, and still is, a sports metropolis,” the mayor said.

American athlete Kevin Young, who is the official promoter of the 27th edition of the Marathon, said during a free and open-to-all athletics workshop that he held at Belgrade’s Kosutnjak Park on Friday, that he has seen many talented children in Serbia and it is essential that the country takes care of its precious little athletic treasures because some day, they will surely become great athletes.

Olivera Jevtic, last year’s women’s marathon race winner, who will run in the half-marathon race this year, has said that up to this marathon, she has run a total distance of about 250,000 kilometers.

“For me, the Belgrade Marathon is much more than just a competition. Together, we have overcome many difficult moments, sanctions and bombings, which has made us even stronger,” said Serbia’s marathon record holder and Gothenburg’s 2006 European Athletics Championships silver medalist.

The president of the Belgrade Marathon, famous Serbian basketball player Aleksandar Djordjevic, said he is proud of the biggest sporting event in the capital.

“Belgrade is sending the world a nicer picture every year thanks to this race,” said Djordjevic.

Snezana Radocaj, director of Hemofarm Foundation, one of the main partners of the Belgrade...