Belgrade Marathon

Annual race in Serbia held since 1988

Belgrade Marathon

2017 edition of Belgrade Marathon

Date| April
Location| Belgrade, Serbia
Event type| Road
Distance| Marathon
Half marathon (including half marathon relay)
10K run
Fun run
Kids marathon
Primary sponsor| ComTrade (2024 edition)
Established| 1988 (37 years ago) (1988)
Course records| Men's: 2:10:54 (2006)
Japhet Kosgei
Women's: 2:26:48 (2025)
Deborah Sang
Official site| Belgrade Marathon
Participants| 11,249 (2025, all races)
1,545 marathon finishers (2025)

The Belgrade Marathon (Serbian: Београдски Маратон, romanized: Beogradski Maraton) is an annual marathon race held in Belgrade since 1988. It is typically held in April and also features a half marathon (including half marathon relay) and 10K run.

Additionally, a fun run for the public and kids marathon for the children is also organized. The Belgrade Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events in Serbia.

## History

[edit]

Serbian postage stamp featuring the 30th Belgrade Marathon in 2017

The origins of marathon culture in Belgrade trace back to 2 May 1910, when "Velika pešačka utakmica" (eng. "The Great Walking Race") took place from Obrenovac to Belgrade, with finishing line being in Košutnjak.[1] Out of 97 participants, a bookstore owner Aleksandar Popović crossed the finishing line first and became a race winner.[1]

The first modern marathon in Belgrade took place on 8 May 1988.[2] It was 23 km (14 mi) long, and only Yugoslavian athletes participated.[3] The track length of the 1989 marathon was 46.7 km (29.0 mi), with the start and finish being in front of the Federal Parliament Building.

Since 1990, the Belgrade Marathon has a standard 42.195 km (26.219 mi) length. The 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia did not prevent the marathon from taking place that year, and on April 17 the race was held as a metered group run.[4] About 40 runners from nine countries crossed the finish line at 3 hours 15 minutes and 16 seconds. The runners from NATO countries were Seine Brenson from the US, and Michael Turzynski and Heinz Lorber from Germany. The latter two are also founding members of the German 100 Marathon Club.

The JSD Partizan took it upon itself to organize the marathon. The City of Belgrade, its departments and communal services helped organize the event. Also involved were the executive bodies of city government, the Serbian Armed Forces, the Police of Serbia, and a number of sponsors. In September 2003, Belgrade declared that the Marathon is an event of special importance for the city. The same organisers also arrange the Belgrade Race through History, a race around the Belgrade Fortress, which started in 1996.[5]

In 2020, the race was initially postponed to 18 October 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[6] However, the marathon was eventually cancelled after the organizers were unable to secure approval to hold the marathon with coronavirus controls in place.[7][8] In 2022 edition, there were 668 finishers (105 women's and 563 men's) from 41 countries.[9] In 2023, the record number of 10,000 participants and 885 marathon finishers ran the Belgrade Marathon. In 2024, that number increased to 13,000 participants and 1,264 marathon finishers.[10]

## Other races

[edit]

In addition to the marathon, the event also holds three other races:

* The half marathon is a half distance marathon (21.1 km) that is in accordance with world standards
* The half marathon relay;
* The 10K run.

Also, the event also holds two friendly enjoyment races:

* The fun run is a 2.3 km event;
* The kids marathon is a race for children, typically held week before the main events.

## Records and statistics

[edit]

### Winners

[edit]

Course record
Serbian championship race
Date  | Men's winner  | Time[a] | Women's winner  | Time[a] | Total marathon finishers  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

2025.04.06  |  Gilbert Chumba (KEN) | 2:11:21  |  Deborah Sang (KEN) | 2:26:48 | 1,545  | [11]
2024.04.28  |  Gilbert Chumba (KEN) | 2:11:48  |  Emma Cheruto (KEN) | 2:31:31  | 1,264  | [12]
2023.04.23  |  Chakib Lachgar (SPA) | 2:14:28  |  Feyne Gemeda (ETH) | 2:30:30  | 885  | [13][14]
2022.05.15  |  Feyissa Mulgeta (ETH) | 2:12:57  |  Tsedal Gebretsadik (ETH) | 2:34:00  | 668  | [15][9][16][17]
2021.06.06  |  Silviu Stoica (ROM) | 2:34:43  |  Nevena Jovanović (SRB) | 3:12:27  | 498  | [18]
2020 | Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | [7]
2019.04.14  |  Isaac Kiprop (KEN) | 2:16:54  |  Judith Jeptum (KEN) | 2:45:04  | 988  | [19]
2018.04.21  |  Kristijan Stošić (SRB) | 2:45:23  |  Nora Trklja (SRB) | 3:08:46  | 898  | [20]
2017.04.22  |  Stephen Katam (KEN) | 2:21:12  |  Olivera Jevtić (SRB) | 2:38:03  | 896  | [21]
2016.04.17  |  Albert Rop (KEN) | 2:23:59  |  Stella Barsosio (KEN) | 2:43:41  | 732  | [22][23][24]
2015.04.18  |  Silas Sang (KEN) | 2:14:42  |  Abebu Gelan (ETH) | 2:34:14  | 605  | [25]
2014.04.27  |  Bernard Talam (KEN) | 2:14:35  |  Valary Aiyabei (KEN) | 2:37:08  | 433  | [26]
2013.04.21  |  Edwin Kitum (KEN) | 2:19:34  |  Olivera Jevtić (SRB) | 2:36:12  | 322  | [27]
2012.04.22  |  James Barmasai (KEN) | 2:16:01  |  Mary Ptikani (KEN) | 2:42:47  | 291  | [28]
2011.04.17  |  Gebrselassie Tsegaye (ETH) | 2:14:41  |  Frasiah Waithaka (KEN) | 2:34:31  | 276  | [29]
2010.04.18  |  Johnstone Maiyo (KEN) | 2:16:23  |  Hellen Mugo (KEN) | 2:41:19  | 202  | [30]
2009.04.18  |  Victor Kigen (KEN) | 2:13:28  |  Anne Kosgei (KEN) | 2:34:51  | 285  | [31]
2008.04.19  |  William Kipchumba (KEN) | 2:14:03  |  Natalia Chatkina (BLR) | 2:46:24  | 168  | [32]
2007.04.21  |  John Maluni (KEN) | 2:11:53  |  Olivera Jevtić (SRB) | 2:35:46  | 177  | [33]
2006.04.22  |  Japhet Kosgei (KEN) | 2:10:54 |  Halina Karnatsevich (BLR) | 2:34:35  | 129  | [34]
2005.04.23  |  Medeksa Derba (ETH) | 2:12:10  |  Inga Abitova (RUS) | 2:38:20  | 126  | [35]
2004.04.24  |  Christopher Isengwe (TAN) | 2:12:53  |  Rose Nyangacha (KEN) | 2:35:55  |
2003.10.18[b] |  Benson Ogato (KEN) | 2:14:48  |  Zhanna Malkova (RUS) | 2:40:24  |
2002.04.20  |  Geoffrey Kinyua (KEN) | 2:18:48  |  Rodica Chiriţă (ROM) | 2:40:55  |
2001.04.21  |  Mluleki Nobanda (RSA) | 2:15:11  |  Cristina Pomacu (ROM) | 2:29:44  |
2000.04.22  |  Thabiso Moqhali (LES) | 2:15:08  |  Cristina Pomacu (ROM) | 2:36:54  |
1999.04.17  | Official group run as demonstration against NATO bombing of Yugoslavia | 3:15:16  |
1998.04.25  |  Reuben Chebutich (KEN) | 2:12:51  |  Irina Bogacheva (KGZ) | 2:32:07  |
1997.04.19  |  Josephat Ndeti (KEN) | 2:13:38  |  Irina Bogacheva (KGZ) | 2:34:57  |
1996.04.20  |  Hussein Salah (DJI) | 2:14:15  |  Izabela Zatorska (POL) | 2:36:51  |
1995.04.22  |  Vladimir Kotov (BLR) | 2:14:00  |  Izabela Zatorska (POL) | 2:40:27  |
1994.04.23  |  Vladimir Bukhanov (UKR) | 2:12:28  |  Cristina Pomacu (ROM) | 2:33:08  |
1993.04.24  |  Jacob Ngunzu (KEN) | 2:16:09  |  Suzana Ćirić (YUG) | 2:40:27  |
1992.04.25  |  Nicolas Nyengerai (ZIM) | 2:16:07  |  Garifa Blaizanova (KAZ) | 2:45:12  |
1991.05.04  |  Agapius Masong (TAN) | 2:16:23  |  Karla Mališová (TCH) | 2:47:10  |  | [36][2][37]
1990.05.05  |  Joseph Nzau (KEN) | 2:19:32  |  Suzana Ćirić (YUG) | 2:45:08  |  | [36][2]
1989.05.06  |  Dragan Isailović (YUG) | 2:34:48[c] |  Suzana Ćirić (YUG) | 3:03:21[c] |  | [36][2]
1988.05.08  |  Rifat Zilkić (YUG) | 1:09:02[d] |  Radislavka Račić (YUG) | No data |  | [3][2][36]

### Winners by country

[edit]

Note: Updated as of 2025 Belgrade Marathon

Nation  | Men's winner

|

Kenya |

Ethiopia |

Yugoslavia |

Tanzania |

Zimbabwe |

Ukraine |

Belarus |

Djibouti |

Lesotho |

South Africa |

Serbia |

Romania |

Spain |

Nation  | Women's winner

|

Kenya |

Serbia |

Romania |

Yugoslavia |

Ethiopia |

Poland |

Kyrgyzstan |

Russia |

Belarus |

Czechoslovakia |

Kazakhstan |

FR Yugoslavia |

## Gallery

[edit]

* Serbian politicians Aleksandar Šapić, Boris Tadić, and Božidar Đelić during the 25th Belgrade Marathon in 2012

* 2022 shirt and medal

* 2021 shirt and medal

* 2020 shirt and medal (Virtuel marathon)

* 2019 shirt and medal

* Finisher medal in 2019

* 2022 Dm women's run shirt and medal

* The men's race in 2006 edition

* William Kwambai Kipchumba topped the podium in 2008 edition

* Start line in 2014 edition

* Medal from 2019 to 2024

Winners of 30th Belgrade Marathon (2017)

Stephen Katam from Kenya

Olivera Jevtić from Serbia

Winners of 29th Belgrade Marathon (2016)

Abel Kibet Rop (blue jersey) from Kenya

Stella Barsosio Jeptenegich from Ethiopia

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b h:m:s
2. ^ Postponed from April to October, due to state of emergency in the country, following the assassination of prime minister Zoran Đinđić.
3. ^ a b Course was 46.7 km (29.0 mi) in length.[2][36]
4. ^ Course was 23 km (14 mi) in length.[2][36]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "1910-20". arhiva.srbija-info.gov.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 28 April 2024.
2. ^ a b c d e f g "Belgrade Marathon".
3. ^ a b "Rifat Zilkić, pobjednik prvog Beogradskog maratona - Snews". www.snews.rs. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25.
4. ^ Butcher, Pat (1999-10-11). Paul Tergat to race through history. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
5. ^ The Belgrade Race Through History Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Belgrade Marathon. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
6. ^ "Beogradski Maraton | Vest | 33rd Belgrade Marathon is postponed F".
7. ^ a b "Beogradski Maraton | Vest | Beogradski maraton nije dobio odobren".
8. ^ ""Dragi trkači i trkačice, Beogradski maraton je otkazan..."". 28 September 2020.
9. ^ a b "35. Belgrade Marathon, 15.05.2022 : : My.race|result". my.raceresult.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
10. ^ "Startovao Beogradski maraton – rekordan broj učesnika". b92.net (in Serbian). 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
11. ^ "38. Comtrade Beogradski maraton". raceresult.com. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
12. ^ "37. Comtrade Beogradski maraton". raceresult.com. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
13. ^ "Belgrade Marathon Beograd (SRB) 23 APR 2023". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
14. ^ "36. Beogradski maraton Gender Results Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
15. ^

* https://archive.today/20220602045230/https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ethiopia/feyissa-mulgeta-14889013
* https://archive.today/20220601022153/https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ethiopia/tsedal-gebretsadik-14620554

16. ^ "TANJUG | Dominacija Etiopljana: Mulgeta Feisa i Tsedal Čekole pobedni…". Archived from the original on 3 June 2022.
17. ^ "35. Belgrade Marathon Result List MF Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
18. ^ "34. Belgrade Marathon Result List MF Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
19. ^ "32. Belgrade Marathon Result List MF Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
20. ^ "31. Belgrade Marathon Result List MF Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
21. ^ "30. Belgrade Marathon Result List MF Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
22. ^ "World Athletics - Albert Rop". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
23. ^ "World Athletics - Stella Barsosio". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
24. ^ "29th Belgrade Marathon Marathon Results by Gender" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
25. ^ "28th SuisseGas Belgrade Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
26. ^ "27. Beograd Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
27. ^ "26. Beograd Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
28. ^ "25. Beograd Marathon" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
29. ^ "24. Beogradski maraton 2011" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
30. ^ "23. Beogradski TIME FORCE maraton 2010" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
31. ^ "22. Beogradski Banca Intesa maraton 2009" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
32. ^ "21. Beogradski Banca Intesa maraton 2008" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
33. ^ "20. Beogradski Banca Intesa maraton 2007" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
34. ^ "Maraton 2006" (.xls). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
35. ^ "RANG LISTA - FINISHING ORDER MARATON - MARATHON" (PDF). bgdmarathon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
36. ^ a b c d e f "Archived copy". fedorabg.bg.ac.rs. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
37. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20201019033101/https://www.behej.com/bezecke-tabulky/zavodnici/2643-malisova-karla

List of winners

* Karamata, Ozren (2010-04-20). Beogradski Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2010-04-21.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belgrade Marathon.

* Belgrade City Marathon Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
* Marathon Info
* Run, World, Run -- And Stop the War!

* v
* t
* e

Belgrade Marathon – men's winners

* 1990: Joseph Nzau (KEN)
* 1991: Agapius Masong (TAN)
* 1992: Nicolas Nyengerai (ZIM)
* 1993: Jacob Ngunzu (KEN)
* 1994: Vladimir Bukhanov (UKR)
* 1995: Vladimir Kotov (BLR)
* 1996: Hussein Ahmed Salah (DJI)
* 1997: Josephat Ndeti (KEN)
* 1998: Reuben Chebutich (KEN)
* 1999: Not Held
* 2000: Thabiso Moqhali (LES)
* 2001: Mluleki Nobanda (RSA)
* 2002: Geoffrey Kinyua (KEN)
* 2003: Benson Ogato (KEN)
* 2004: Christopher Isengwe (TAN)
* 2005: Medeksa Derba Badade (ETH)
* 2006: Japhet Kosgei (KEN)
* 2007: John Maluni (KEN)
* 2008: William Kwambai Kipchumba (KEN)
* 2009: Victor Kigen (KEN)
* 2010: Johnstone Kibet Maiyo (KEN)
* 2011: Gebrselassie Tsegaye (ETH)
* 2012: James Kiptum Barmasai (KEN)
* 2013: Edwin Kiplagat Kitum (KEN)
* 2014: Bernard Talam (KEN)
* 2015: Silas Sang (KEN)
* 2016: Albert Kibet Rop (KEN)
* 2017: Stephen Katam (KEN)
* 2018: Kristijan Stošić (SRB)
* 2019: Isaac Kiprop Rutto (KEN)
* 2020: cancelled
* 2021: Silviu Stoica (ROU)
* 2022: Feyissa Mulgeta (ETH)
* 2023: Chakib Lachgar (ESP)
* 2024: Gilbert Chumba (KEN)
* 2025: Gilbert Chumba (KEN)

* v
* t
* e

Belgrade Marathon – women's winners

* 1990: Suzana Ćirić (YUG)
* 1991: Carla Malisová (TCH)
* 1992: Garifa Blaizanova (KAZ)
* 1993: Suzana Ćirić (YUG)
* 1994: Cristina Pomacu (ROM)
* 1995: Izabela Zatorska (POL)
* 1996: Izabela Zatorska (POL)
* 1997: Irina Bogacheva (KGZ)
* 1998: Irina Bogacheva (KGZ)
* 1999: Not held
* 2000: Cristina Pomacu (ROM)
* 2001: Cristina Pomacu (ROM)
* 2002: Rodica Chiriţă (ROM)
* 2003: Zhanna Malkova (RUS)
* 2004: Rose Nyangacha (KEN)
* 2005: Inga Abitova (RUS)
* 2006: Halina Karnatsevich (BLR)
* 2007: Olivera Jevtić (SRB)
* 2008: Natalia Chatkina (BLR)
* 2009: Anne Kosgei (KEN)
* 2010: Hellen Mugo (KEN)
* 2011: Mary Ptikani (KEN)
* 2012: Frasiah Waithaka (KEN)
* 2013: Olivera Jevtić (SRB)
* 2014: Valary Aiyabei (KEN)
* 2015: Abebu Gelan Adugna (KEN)
* 2016: Stella Barsosio (KEN)
* 2017: Olivera Jevtić (SRB)
* 2018: Nora Trklja (SRB)
* 2019: Judith Jeptum (KEN)
* 2020: cancelled
* 2021: Nevena Jovanović (SRB)
* 2022: Tsedal Gebretsadik (ETH)
* 2023: Feyne Gemeda (ETH)
* 2024: Emma Cheruto (KEN)
* 2025: Deborah Sang (KEN)

* v
* t
* e

World Athletics Label Road Races

Editions|

* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Platinum|

| Marathon|

* Amsterdam
* Berlin
* Boston
* Chicago
* London
* Nagoya Women's
* New York City
* Osaka Women's
* Seoul
* Shanghai
* Sydney
* Tokyo
* Valencia
* Xiamen

|

Half marathon|

* Bangsaen
* Guadalajara

Gold|

| Marathon|

* Barcelona
* Beijing
* Buriram
* Daegu
* Doha
* Guangzhou
* Hangzhou
* Hong Kong
* Houston
* İstanbul
* Lagos
* Ljubljana
* Mexico City
* Mumbai
* New Taipei
* Osaka
* Rotterdam
* Singapore
* Taipei

|

Half Marathon|

* Barcelona
* Copenhagen
* Gifu
* Houston
* Istanbul
* New Delhi
* Ras Al Khaimah
* Valencia
* Yangzhou

10K|

* Bengaluru
* Port-Gentil
* San Silvestre Vallecana (Madrid)

Elite|

| Marathon|

* Abu Dhabi
* Bali
* Bangsaen
* Beppu-Oita
* Dublin
* Enschede
* Frankfurt
* Fukuoka
* Hōfu
* Honolulu
* Huangpu (China)
* Kigali International
* Lisbon
* Mersin
* Nanjing
* Paris
* Prague
* Riyadh
* Rome
* Seville
* Tallinn
* Toronto Waterfront
* Vienna

|

Half marathon|

* Antrim Coast (Northern Ireland)
* Berlin
* Bogotá
* Cardiff
* Lisbon
* Marugame
* Prague
* Tallinn

10K|

* Beach to Beacon (Maine)
* Brașov
* Prague Grand Prix

Label|

| Marathon|

* Athens
* Bangkok
* Belfast
* Belgrade
* Bengaluru
* Bratislava
* Bucharest
* Buenos Aires
* Cape Town
* Castellón
* Copenhagen
* Cholpon-Ata
* Dubai
* Durban
* Geneva
* Gold Coast
* Guadalajara
* Hannover
* Hyderabad
* İzmir
* Jakarta
* Kobe
* Košice
* Kuala Lumpur
* Madrid
* Málaga
* Marrakesh
* Milan
* Nairobi
* Ottawa
* Pattaya
* Porto
* Rabat
* Riga
* Rio de Janeiro
* Sao Paulo
* Sapporo
* Sofia
* Stockholm
* Sunshine Coast
* Tashkent
* Tunis
* Venice
* Vilnius
* Warsaw
* Zagreb

|

20km / Half Marathon|

* Bangkok
* Belfast
* Buenos Aires
* České Budějovice
* Chicago
* Gold Coast
* Hamburg
* Karlovy Vary
* Málaga
* Madrid
* New York City
* Olomouc
* Paris Semi
* Paris 20k
* Pattaya
* Perth
* Pittsburgh
* Porto
* Pune
* Riga
* Roma-Ostia
* Great North Run (South Shields, UK)
* Stockholm
* Ústí nad Labem
* Warsaw

10km (one 11.3 km)|

* Atlanta (July)
* Bangkok
* Boston
* Boulder
* Castelbuono
* Castellón
* Falmouth (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) (11.3km)
* Great Ethiopian Run (Addis Ababa)
* Madrid
* Pattaya
* Riga
* Valencia

5-8km|

* Manchester (Connecticut) - 8km
* Riga - 5km

1 mile|

* Fifth Avenue Mile (New York City)
* Riga

*[KEN]: Kenya
*[SPA]: Spain
*[ETH]: Ethiopia
*[ROM]: Romania
*[SRB]: Serbia
*[BLR]: Belarus
*[RUS]: Russia
*[TAN]: Tanzania
*[RSA]: South Africa
*[LES]: Lesotho
*[KGZ]: Kyrgyzstan
*[DJI]: Djibouti
*[POL]: Poland
*[UKR]: Ukraine
*[YUG]: Yugoslavia
*[ZIM]: Zimbabwe
*[KAZ]: Kazakhstan
*[TCH]: Czechoslovakia
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template