Everything is ready for the Belgrade Half Marathon – Bibić aims to break the national record.

The 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon 2025 is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, and according to the organizers, everything is ready for the event that marks the final stretch of this year’s running season. At the press conference, the Director of the Belgrade Marathon, Darko Habuš, announced that in addition to the half-marathon, there will also be a 10-kilometer race, with the start set for 10 AM.

“All spots for the half marathon were filled several days ago. This is only the second race in the nearly 40-year history of the Belgrade Marathon for which registrations closed several days before the event, with 5,000 participants registered from 52 countries—20 percent more than last year. The course has been changed; the races will take place through the streets of New Belgrade and Zemun, with both the start and finish set in front of the Belgrade Arena,” Habuš said.

He further explained the idea behind relocating the course of the 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon 2025:

“All of this was done based on the recommendations and in consultation with representatives of World Athletics and European Athletics as part of the preparations for the European Championships in the 10, 21, and 42-kilometer distances, which we will be hosting in 2027. year. “The shared idea was to test a course that is significantly flatter in order to provide the best possible conditions for all competitors to achieve faster times and higher-quality results. We also took into account the technical limitations we would face in the pre-start zone if the race were held in the city center. As organizers, we carry great responsibility, and our task is to ensure the best possible conditions for the runners,” Habuš concluded.

The organizers will be supported by 225 volunteers, as well as 75 Red Cross volunteers stationed at 20 points along the course and at the finish line. Additionally, five emergency medical teams will be responsible for participant safety, and two emergency centers will be on standby. Security will be handled by 150 traffic police officers and 350 physical-technical security personnel.

“We owe great gratitude to the City of Belgrade and all municipal services, without whose help and support it would simply not be possible to organize an event of this scale. I must also emphasize that every part of the Belgrade Marathon organization has done an outstanding job, all with the aim of meeting the highest standards and delivering yet another top-level running event. In this regard, I would like to point out that this Belgrade Half Marathon course has been certified by World Athletics and is included in their official calendar, which in itself is a confirmation of the quality of our work,” Habuš said.

He emphasized that 2025 is the most successful year in the history of the Belgrade Marathon:

“Just this year, over 28,000 runners have participated in all our events, setting a new historical record and confirming that Belgrade is becoming one of the leading running hubs in the region.”

Habuš also spoke about the details of the upcoming 39th Belgrade Marathon, which, for the first time in its history, will be held over two days – April 18 and 19, 2026:

“The half-marathon will start on the morning of April 18, while the 10-kilometer race will take place the same day in the afternoon, concluding with a concert and an engaging entertainment program. The marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, in the morning. The start and finish of these races will be at Republic Square, and most of the course will pass through the old part of the city, going by numerous cultural and historical landmarks, showcasing Belgrade from the runners’ perspective in the best possible light. Additionally, part of the route will go through New Belgrade, specifically along the streets we are testing in this Sunday’s half-marathon,” Habuš said, adding:

“We strive to listen to the needs of our running community, and all of this will be done with the aim of avoiding congestion in the start and finish areas. At the same time, it will give us the opportunity for the marathon, half-marathon, and 10-kilometer race to continue growing, allowing us to host an even larger event in the future,” Habuš stated.

At the end of his address, he also had an important message for all runners:

“The Belgrade Marathon belongs to the runners, to this community, to Belgrade, and to the people who, for 38 years, have preserved its name through their effort, energy, and strong will. That is why, on Sunday, the focus is solely on you: on your start, your energy, your finish. I wish you to enjoy it, to find your strength, to cross your personal finish line, and wherever you run, always carry a piece of Belgrade with you,” Habuš stated.

The Serbian Athletic Federation has been a reliable partner of the Belgrade Marathon in organizing all events in recent years. The Director of the Serbian Athletic Federation, Slobodan Branković, expressed great satisfaction, noting that the 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon will also serve as the national half-marathon championship:

“Athletics in Serbia is currently facing a very challenging financial situation, but despite these circumstances, we work persistently and dedicatedly to provide our athletes with continuous competition opportunities and conditions worthy of a representative-level sport. The Belgrade Half Marathon and the national championship represent an important event that brings together the best domestic runners and adds significant value to the overall athletics program in Serbia. I wish all competitors the best of luck, personal records, and that they enjoy every kilometer on Sunday,” Branković stated, also announcing a very competitive elite race:

“Seven Kenyan runners will participate, along with five Kenyan female half-marathoners. A pacemaker has been provided, with the pace set at 61 minutes and 30 seconds. I am confident that this strong competition will also help our best middle- and long-distance athlete, Elzan Bibić, attempt to finally break the national record in the 21-kilometer race, which has stood since 1998 by Janko Benša at a time of one hour, two minutes, and 11 seconds,” Branković said. He also announced that Belgrade will host a seminar on Friday and Saturday for coaches of middle- and long-distance runners from over 30 countries, all of whom will be special guests at the 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon.

Two-time Belgrade Half Marathon winner Elzan Bibić will once again be the main favorite for the Serbian championship title, and everyone hopes he will finally break the 27-year-old record:

“I am extremely pleased to be part of the event organized by the Belgrade Marathon again this year, which inspires thousands of people to show the best version of themselves. The Belgrade Marathon truly brings together all those who, through running, demonstrate not only their perseverance but also a sense of community. The atmosphere is always special, and it is an event that Belgrade truly deserves,” Bibić said, before sharing his expectations for the race:

“It will be a special challenge for me, as I will once again attempt to break the national 21-kilometer record. Two years ago, I missed it by just three seconds, but now I am very well prepared and will take advantage of the fact that the course has been changed and is significantly faster due to the flatter terrain. The competition will be very strong, and it’s excellent that the organizers have provided a pacemaker, so now it’s all on me to perform at my best. I will give my all to keep up with the elite Kenyan runners and aim to complete the 21 kilometers in under 62 minutes,” Bibić stated.

Sava Insurance has been a sponsor of the Belgrade Marathon for the fourth consecutive year and serves as the official insurance provider for both the runners and the event. The Director of Marketing and Digital Sales Channels at Sava Insurance, Dragan Ocokoljić, emphasized that the company proudly supports an event that brings together all generations and promotes sports and recreational activities:

“Our support for the half-marathon is not only sponsorship-based but also value-driven, as we uphold the same principles on the running track as we do in business and in our relationships with customers. We want every participant, from professionals to recreational runners, to know that they have an ally in Sava Insurance, and that they are covered on the course and during all events organized by the Belgrade Marathon. Our goal is for every runner to feel that this day was made for them and to enjoy it while feeling safe.”

Ocokoljić particularly emphasized that this collaboration is an excellent example of how business and recreational sports can work together to create a better environment for the community. “We want the half-marathon to become even safer each year and to continue growing in the number of participants. Running teaches us perseverance, careful planning, and decisive steps—qualities that are just as valuable in business as they are in running. We invite all citizens to support the runners and be part of the atmosphere that only Belgrade can create,” Ocokoljić concluded.

It should be noted that for the 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon, five refreshment stations and an equal number of music stations have been arranged. The organizers have prepared 29,400 bottles of water and 9,792 bottles of isotonic drinks. The refreshment stations will also feature 1,000 kg of apples, 1,400 kg of bananas, 50 kg of lemons, 7,500 packs of biscuits, and 5,000 chocolate bars.