57th White Cross is a prelude to the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade on March 24th

The White Cross – EA Bronze Permit Cross Country Race will be held in Belgrade this weekend for the 57th time. In the Friendship Park at Ušće, on Saturday, March 16th, races will take place in the categories of youth, junior, and senior, with the participation of over 120 athletes from nine countries expected.

It should be emphasized that this competition will serve as a prelude and a dress rehearsal for the World Cross Country Championships, which Belgrade will host on the same course at Ušće on March 30th.

“This competition holds special significance because it not only provides an opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talent but also serves as excellent preparation for the World Championships,” said Predrag Momirović, director of the World Cross Country Championships, during the opening remarks at the press conference held at the Athletics Hall in Belgrade.

“Just this year, in agreement with World Athletics and the Belgrade Marathon, we moved the White Cross to March instead of its standard January date. Fifty percent of the facilities for the world championship have already been set up at Ušće, and all of us involved in the organization will have the opportunity to see how it operates.”

What is new for the White Cross, which has been held in our capital since 1966, is that the Belgrade Marathon will take over the complete technical organization:

“We want to further enhance this athletic event with such a long tradition and, starting from next year, include the White Cross in the portfolio of races of the Belgrade Marathon and open it up to recreational participants. I would like to thank the Serbian Athletics Federation for recognizing the quality of the event organized by the Belgrade Marathon and for strengthening our already good cooperation with this gesture. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to the City of Belgrade and the Ministry of Sports for their support in organizing the White Cross,” said Darko Habuš, director of the Belgrade Marathon.

Cash prizes of five thousand euros are provided for the most successful male and female runners. Nikola Penić spoke on behalf of the City Secretariat for Sports.

“The City Secretariat is firmly committed to supporting athletics, from Permit indoor meetings to all significant competitions organized in our city. The White Cross is being held for the 57th time this year, and it is one of the most significant events for us. We support it both logistically and financially. I would like to wish Darko Habuš, director of the Belgrade Marathon, luck in organizing both the White Cross and the Belgrade Marathon, which is the most important event not only for athletics but also for recreational aspects.”

The main asset among our athletes will certainly be Elzan Bibić, who has already won the White Cross before.

“The White Cross has come at the right time for me and for my form. I am now at a very good level, and I hope to show that tomorrow at the competition. I am extremely pleased that the Belgrade Marathon has become part of this whole story because last year I established a wonderful collaboration with them in the half marathon held in November. I am already discussing with Darko Habuš to attempt to break the course record and perhaps even the national record in the half marathon again this year during the same event. The White Cross will surely send a wonderful image from Belgrade, as a prelude to the World Cross Country Championships”, highlighted the outstanding Serbian long-distance runner. The youth race will cover a distance of 1.75 kilometers, the junior race will be 6.4 kilometers long, while the senior athletes will compete on an eight-kilometer course. The White Cross’s grand opening is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with the first race starting at 11:00 a.m.