NOVI GRAD – Žarko Jovanović from Doboj is the winner of the 14th “Trails of Branko Ćopić” Marathon and the champion of the Republic of Srpska in the marathon.
Jovanović ran the 42.2-kilometer course in two hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds, thus breaking the record he held last year of two hours and 48 minutes.
He said that the organization was good and that he went to the placement in a controlled manner, reports Srna.
Second place in the men’s competition was won by Davor Vidović from Banjaluka, and third place went to Miloš Veleusić from Banjaluka.
In the women’s competition, the best in the marathon race was Emina Ćehajić Gradinović from Bihać, the second was Kristina Podvorac from Banjaluka, while the third place was Sandra Bijelić from Banjaluka.
Velid Žigić from Kostajnica was the fastest in the half-marathon race of 21.1 kilometers, and Snježana Pisarović from Mrkonjić Grad was the fastest in the women’s competition.
Miloš Klindo from Gradiška was the fastest in the Citizens’ Race over five kilometers, and Marija Subotić was the fastest in the women’s competition.
Deputy Mayor of Novi Grad Bojan Lukač said at the opening of the event that this local community once again proved that it is a sports municipality.
“The Branko Ćopić Trails Marathon is not just a sports event. All participants today remembered the work of Branko Ćopić and had the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty,” said Lukač.
The president of the “Sloboda” Athletics Club from Novi Grad, Nemanja Mijić, said that there were 26 runners at the start of the marathon in Hasani, the birthplace of the writer Branko Ćopić, and 64 runners at the start of the half-marathon near the Rađenović Bridge, while 116 runners participated in the citizens’ race.
The General Secretary of the Athletics Association of Republika Srpska, Dalibor Vrhovac, said that the marathon is also the championship of Republika Srpska, and that he expects it to be the BiH marathon championship as well.
