FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BELGRADE MARATHON RESULTS
Belgrade, Saturday, April 22, 1400gmt
In the first event of a big marathon weekend in Europe - with London,
Vienna and Hamburg tomorrow - Saturday morning's Belgrade Marathon
celebrated its 30th anniversary with a third victory by local hero Olivera
Jevtic. The five-time Olympian, now in her 40th year won in 2.38.03. The
men's race was won by Stephen Kipngetich Katam of Kenya, in 2.21.12.
On a cool, sunny morning with the temperature at 8C, Jevtic whose career
highlights include a European silver in 2006 and a third place in Boston
2004 took over the lead at halfway from colleague, Teodora Simovic, and
eventually won by close to four minutes. Nevertheless, marathon debutante,
Simovic finished second in a creditable 2.41.47, with another Serb, Nataša
Culafic third in 3.02.41.
Kipngetich, whose debut win came in Tel Aviv 2016, went into the lead after
six kilometres, and eventually won by nine minutes, from Darko Zivanovic of
Serbia, 2.30.15, with Kennedy Kipruto Mayo of Kenya in third, in 2.33.40.
Jevtic said, "Though this is my third win in Belgrade, this was the best. I
expected to run a bit faster, maybe we started too quickly and into a tough
headwind. I'm pleased with that".
"I enjoyed the race, and I liked the course," said men's winner Kipngetich.
The support along the course was great, and I'd like to come back again".
With the other 'Legends' ie former race promoters - Mike Powell, Javier
Sotomajor, Lasse Viren, Rosa Mota, Galina Chistyakova, Kevin Young and
Stefano Baldini present, Bob Beamon said how much they been impressed by
the enthusiasm of the youngsters to whom they gave coaching seminars, and
to the crowds which lined the tough Belgrade course.
RESULTS
MEN
1 Stephen KIPNGETICH KATAM KEN 2.21.12
2 Darko ZIVANOVIC SRB 2.30.15
3 Kennedy KIPRUTO MAYO KEN 2.33.40
WOMEN
1 Olivera JEVTIC SRB 2.38.03
2 Teodora SIMOVIC SRB 2.41.47
3 Nataša CULAFIC SRB 3.02.41
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