Elzan Bibić aims for the record at the fifth Belgrade Half Marathon

A highlight of the very successful 2024 racing season in Serbia will be the fifth Belgrade Half Marathon, scheduled for November 24th. This will be the fifth event organized by the Belgrade Marathon this year, and in addition to the 21-kilometer race, there will also be a 10,000-meter race.

According to the organizers, this event has already surpassed the four thousand participants mark, setting a new record for the number of runners. Given that the number of spots is limited, the Belgrade Marathon encourages all interested participants to register in time.

The race start is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra and Resavska Street, with the finish line traditionally located in front of the Hotel ‘Moskva.’ Serbia’s top long-distance runner, Elzan Bibić, will also be on the course.

The young man from Novi Pazar will be defending his first-place title from last year, when he set the course record with a time of 62 minutes and 15 seconds.

“The memories from last year are unforgettable. Breaking the course record was one of the most beautiful moments of my racing career. I remember the feeling as I crossed the finish line and saw all those people celebrating. It was very emotional and motivated me to keep training and setting new goals,” Bibić emphasized.

Elzan was just four seconds away from breaking the national half-marathon record, which has been held by Janko Benša since 1998. Bibić has announced his intention to go after the best result, which has stood for a full 26 years.

I have big expectations this year as well. I hope for an even larger number of runners, and the organization gets better every year. I’m sure the atmosphere will be amazing, with plenty of support along the entire course,” says Elzan.

The Serbian national team member expects to have strong competitors.
There are always a few strong runners who are ready to give their best. That further inspires me to prepare even better. It’s a challenge to race against the best, but it makes the race exciting.

However, there is one thing Elzan Bibić prioritizes.
There is a special magic in running in front of a home crowd. When I hear the cheers of my team, friends, and family, I feel like I can run forever. It gives me extra energy and motivation, and I often remember the moments when I was training for such occasions,” concluded Bibić

The organizers announce that the fifth Belgrade Half Marathon will once again provide participants with a unique racing experience on the course. All runners will receive a t-shirt as a gift, and those who complete the 21 and 10-kilometer races will be rewarded with medals and online diplomas.