The Heroes of the 38th COMTRADE Belgrade Marathon Have Been Announced

The Belgrade Marathon was held for the 38th time on April 6 this year, taking place on the streets of our capital city. The organizers of Serbia’s largest sporting event expressed their gratitude during the traditional ceremony titled “Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon” to all those who helped make the event run smoothly and once again meet the highest standards of global and European athletics.

With 14,000 runners on the course, a new record for the number of participants was once again set. The 25-year-old women’s marathon record was also broken—by nearly three minutes. More than 2,500 runners from 74 countries around the world took part in the 10K, half marathon (21K), and full marathon (42K) races.

In addition to the main patrons of the event—the City of Belgrade, the City Secretariat for Sports and Youth, the Secretariat for Defense, Emergency Situations and Coordination, the Ministry of Sports, the Athletics Federation of Serbia, and the Red Cross of Belgrade—plaques of appreciation were also awarded to all sponsors and partners of the Belgrade Marathon. This year, around 3,000 people took part in organizing the event.

Awards were also given to those who, through their very participation, made superhuman efforts to complete their race. For them, it wasn’t a race against time, nor were the other runners their competition. It was a race in which the greatest challenge was to overcome themselves. They succeeded in doing so, thereby earning the title of Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon.
These heroes are:
Vlada Stevanović, a 91-year-old runner, and his companion Milomir Konotar
Tijana Marković, a representative of the Special Olympics
Nenad Perčević, a half-marathon runner living with cerebral palsy
Nela Bunčić Vukomanović, an influencer who ran a half marathon shortly after giving birth
Milan Petrović, a completely blind marathon runner, and his guide Dejan Ivanković
Vesela Mačkić, a teacher from “Mihajlo Pupin” Elementary School who inspired many children to participate in the marathon and teaches them the value of sports
Zoja Milinković, a young woman with cerebral palsy who completed the half marathon
Lazar Makulović, a half-marathon participant in a wheelchair
Milena Mošić Đorđević, who completed the 10K race in a wheelchair with the help of her husband Sreten Spasić
Aleksandar Košavtsev, who completed the half marathon on a specially adapted bicycle for people with disabilities
Milica Knežević, a half-marathon participant in a wheelchair, and her companion Dragan Bjelić
Ivana Planojević and Snežana Vesović
Nina Portolan, who completed the full marathon in a wheelchair, and her companion Jovan Supurović
Represent Communications, the first company to purchase all kilometers run by their employees, thereby supporting the work of the “Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon” Foundation.

A special story from the 38th Comtrade Belgrade Marathon and its heroes belongs to Milivoje Janjić, a long-time runner who collapsed just 200 meters before the finish line due to a heart attack. He was unconscious and had no vital signs, but thanks to the swift response of Belgrade Red Cross volunteers—Dario Vidosavljević, Vuk Vujošević, Andrej Simonović, Vasilije Tubić, and Dušan Mljković—as well as Dr. Dragana Jovanović, an anesthesiologist from the Military Medical Academy who happened to be in the crowd near the track, Milivoje Janjić’s life was saved. All of them were rightfully honored with thunderous applause and standing ovations.

“With this event, we celebrate those who have shown through their example that the Belgrade Marathon is not just a sporting event. It is a race for the people, with the people, and because of the people. The Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon give this event its soul and turn Belgrade into a symbol of solidarity, resilience, and unity. Their humanity and warmth are what make our city breathe differently during those days. They are the reason the Belgrade Marathon has something that can’t be measured with a stopwatch—it has a heart. This ceremony is even more special because today we mark the second anniversary of the humanitarian Foundation Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon,” said Darko Habuš, Director of the Belgrade Marathon.

Special plaques were presented to the humanitarian partners and friends of the Belgrade Marathon—the Sports Association for People with Disabilities, the “Live Healthy” Academy, and the Special Olympics of Serbia—as well as to the friends and patrons without whom the full potential of the Belgrade Marathon could not be realized. These include:
The City of Belgrade, which has continuously supported the Belgrade Marathon year after year, enabling the event to grow, develop, and remain recognizable not only in the region but across the world.
The Ministry of Sports, a partner without whom this story would not have the same strength—an institution that invests in the foundations of the future: in sports, health, and youth.

Also honored were the City of Belgrade Secretariat for Sports and Youth, which leaves a lasting mark of support in every generation of young runners, volunteers, and athletes, nurturing and developing sports every day; the Secretariat for Defense, Emergency Situations, and Coordination, which ensures the safety of every participant and citizen; as well as the Athletics Federation of Serbia, to whom we express our gratitude for their support of the Belgrade Marathon, their expertise, cooperation, and shared mission to promote athletics as accessible, inspiring, and inclusive for all.

We were also joined by representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, to whom we express our gratitude for their support and recognition of the importance of mass sports as a platform for connection, promoting healthy values, and socially responsible business practices. We also thank the representatives of the Red Cross of Belgrade, the greatest heroes we often fail to notice—because they work quietly, responsibly, and without pause—but when the time comes, their presence becomes crucial. We are deeply grateful to the Red Cross of Belgrade for their enormous and irreplaceable role in the realization of the Belgrade Marathon. From medical points along the entire course, to emergency intervention teams, to their education and presence at every critical location.

We also thank the Tourist Organization of Serbia for their cooperation in promoting the Belgrade Marathon as

event that represents not only Belgrade but also Serbia as a whole – as a country of sports, openness, and hospitality.

heart and unforgettable experiences, as well as to RTS (Radio Television of Serbia), and the editorial team of the Morning Program, which made it possible for the spirit of the Belgrade Marathon, the energy from the streets, and the inspiration of our participants to reach every home across Serbia.

The special plaques that we will be awarding to all our sponsors and partners are a small token of appreciation

and great gratitude for the support we selflessly receive. Here with us today, and every day of the year, are COMTRADE, JP Pošta Srbije, Sport Time, Banka Poštanska Štedionica, Coca-Cola HBC, SAVA Insurance, Idea, BrightMarbles, Medi Group, Imlek, EXPO 2027, Baby Food Factory, University of Singidunum, Hotel Mona Plaza, Heineken, L’Oréal, Enervit, Barilla, Immo Outlet Center, BAMBI a.d. Group, Frikom Frozen Food Industry, Digital Printing Center, Royal Vet d.o.o, dm drogerie markt, EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Dexyco, Garmin, Delta Motors, TV Arena Sport, Garmin, Alo!, and Arena Sport.

We also thank SoMaraton Sombor, Subotica Half Marathon, and the Belgrade Marathon Runners Club, who have always been by our side during challenging moments.