Dr Iggy ran the Subotica Half Marathon and set a new personal best: “Tanja and I will gladly come back again”
The ninth edition of the Subotica Half Marathon brought many interesting moments, and one of them was certainly the appearance of the well-known nineties musician Igor Todorović, frontman of the band Dr Iggy, who this year had a double role – he officially opened the race, but also decided to run the five kilometres together with the other participants.
The famous singer was the promoter and the VIP face of this year’s Subotica Half Marathon, and his appearance at the start drew special attention among the participants. Instead of watching the event from the sidelines, Dr Iggy put on his sports kit and running shoes and joined the runners, showing that good energy and a love of sport can bring completely different worlds together. At the end of the race Igor also had a concrete reason to be pleased, as he completed the five-kilometre distance in 24 minutes and 45 seconds, which is his new personal best.
“It was phenomenal! Doctor Iggy loves Subotica very much and I come here often, as you already know. I sang here recently, and today is the first time I’ve run here. The course was nice, flat… I feel good. It’s a bit hot, but okay, this is my new personal best over 5 kilometres, so I’m satisfied and Tanja and I will gladly come back to Subotica again,” Todorović said after the race.
Beyond the running itself, the city he passed through also made a strong impression on the well-known musician. Over those five kilometres he had the chance to see Subotica from a somewhat different perspective, and he was particularly struck by the architecture, the old buildings and the city’s historical heritage.
“I remembered everything, I know Subotica the way I know Belgrade, there are beautiful cathedrals, beautiful old buildings. It proves something about our history and tradition and how our ancestors lived, so all of that is lovely,” Dr Iggy pointed out.
On that occasion the famous singer also sent a message to the younger generations, stressing how important it is to get to know the history and cultural heritage of one’s city.
“Young people should learn about the history of their city and know something about it, rather than live their lives staring at mobile phones, computers and so on,” Dr Iggy said.
The five kilometres did not pass without effort, however. The closing stretch of the race was especially demanding, but that was exactly when Todorović showed that decades of doing sport still help him find extra strength when it is needed most. Asked jokingly whether he finished the race to “Oči boje duge” or to the track “Kao iz navike”, Iggy answered with a smile:
“Well, it was ‘Oči boje duge’, but fine, I’m used to effort. I play football, I played football for 37 years, I’m a ski coach, the fitness is in me. I always have that strong finish, the last 500 metres,” he said with a smile.
Although the temperature made the running even harder, after crossing the finish line Dr Iggy was pleased with the whole experience. His participation also showed one of the finest sides of the Subotica Half Marathon – that this event is not meant only for professional athletes, but for everyone who wants to be part of a sporting occasion, good energy and togetherness.
For Todorović this was his first appearance at the Subotica Half Marathon, but it could very easily become the beginning of a new tradition. Judging by his impressions and his announcement that he will return to Subotica, Dr Iggy could remain one of the recognisable VIP faces of this event.
“I’m satisfied and we’ll gladly come back again,” concluded Igor Todorović, referring to his bandmate Tanja Banđur, who also ran the 5 kilometres.
There will be more than enough reasons to come back. The jubilee, tenth Subotica Half Marathon should bring another special feature – a race in the evening hours. A night race, the lights of Subotica, the atmosphere in the streets and a large number of runners could be the ideal opportunity for Dr Iggy to lace up his running shoes again and line up at the start – and perhaps step up to the microphone as well. After this year’s personal best of 24 minutes and 45 seconds over five kilometres, the only question that remains is whether the jubilee edition will bring a new record and a new finish from the popular singer.