Record-breaking 9th Subotica Half Marathon draws over 1,900 registered runners, while the jubilee 10th edition is announced as a true sporting spectacle
Subotica has once again confirmed that it is a city of sport, hospitality, good energy and a great many running enthusiasts, and the 9th Subotica Half Marathon delivered an edition that will be remembered for record interest, excellent organisation, a large number of participants and an atmosphere that filled the city streets throughout the day. This year’s race brought together a total of 1,917 registered participants, a significant increase compared with the previous, eighth edition, when there were 1,733 registrations.
Particularly encouraging is the fact that as many as 1,649 registrations were completed, that is, paid for — 140 more than last year, when 1,509 completed registrations were recorded. On race day itself, over Saturday and Sunday, a further 64 participants signed up, while the limit for this year’s edition had been raised to 1,800 participants.
The racing programme offered three main distances. The 21-kilometre half marathon had 508 registered runners, the 10-kilometre race 535, while the shortest, five-kilometre distance had 606 registered participants.
In terms of gender breakdown, the completed registrations included 964 men and 685 women, while the age range of the participants once again showed that running knows no limits. The youngest registered participant was only nine years old, while the oldest was 84. The largest age group consisted of runners aged 35 to 39, followed by participants in the 30 to 49 categories.
A special place in the whole event belonged to the youngest, as children aged 10 to 14 also took part in the races — 54 boys and 61 girls. An even greater turnout was recorded in the “Active Kids Future Run” children’s races, which gathered more than 800 youngsters, the highest number of registered children since the race has been held.
The Subotica Half Marathon outgrew local boundaries long ago, and the international character of the event was confirmed again this year. In addition to 1,470 competitors from Serbia, runners from another 28 countries took part. Among them were 70 participants from Hungary, 43 from Russia, 17 from Croatia, 15 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, four from Montenegro, three from Austria, as well as two each from Germany, the Philippines and Mexico. Competitors from Cyprus, Georgia, France, the United States of America, Greece, Argentina, Nepal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Armenia, Panama, Anguilla, Saint Lucia, Slovenia, Romania and other countries also lined up at the start, confirming once again that the Subotica Half Marathon attracts participants from all parts of the world.
Péter Szilágyi fastest over 21 kilometres, Nora Trklja Boca best among the women
In the longest race, the 21-kilometre half marathon, first place in the men’s overall standings went to Péter Szilágyi, aged 37, with a time of 1:17:42. Second was Oleg Tcykalo, aged 39, who covered the course in 1:20:49, while third place went to Mihajlo Bolić, aged 23, with a time of 1:21:03.
In the women’s overall standings the fastest was Nora Trklja Boca, a 37-year-old from Subotica, with a result of 1:24:10. Second place was taken by Izabela Mesaroš Ljubičić, aged 33, with a time of 1:39:53, while third was Fanni Vasztag, aged 34, with a result of 1:42:18.
In the men’s age categories, the best in the up-to-19 group was Andrija Pardić, 17, with 1:23:38. In the 20 to 29 category the winner was David Elek, 26, with a result of 1:22:49. Among runners aged 30 to 39 the most successful was Slobodan Đorđević, 37, with 1:21:51. In the 40–49 category the winner was Csongor Tankovics, 48, with a time of 1:23:30. Among runners aged 50 to 59 the best was Simeon Jankulovski, 50, with 1:35:58. In the 60 to 69 category first place went to Dragoljub Zaviša, 65, with a result of 1:31:37, while in the 70+ category the fastest was Štefan Skitek, 73, with a time of 2:06:06.
Among the women up to 19 the best was Tijana Sebők Csáki, 15, with a result of 1:55:10. In the 20–29 category the winner was Viktória Vituška, 27, with 2:05:40. Among women aged 30 to 39 the most successful was Jovana Selaković, 37, with 1:50:10. In the 40–49 category the winner was Jamanta Šafranj, 42, with a result of 1:42:18, while in the 50+ category the best was Suzana Aćimović Đumić, 56, with a time of 1:47:00.
The titles of best Subotica residents over 21 kilometres went to Oleg Tcykalo, the fastest among local competitors in the men’s field with 1:20:49, and to Izabela Mesaroš Ljubičić, the best woman from Subotica with a time of 1:39:53.
Iurii Kotov and Csilla Bognár fastest over 10 kilometres
In the 10-kilometre race, the men’s overall winner was Iurii Kotov, aged 27, with an outstanding result of 31:28. Second place went to Milivoje Jovović, 40, with 36:43, while third was Attila Szabó, with a result of 38:09.
Among the women the fastest was Csilla Bognár, 28, with a time of 40:34. Second place went to Ana Tihanji, 29, who recorded 42:41, while third was Zorica Kulić with a result of 47:36.
In the men’s age categories, the best in the up-to-19 group was Luka Tubić with 39:45. In the 20–29 category Milivoje Jovović triumphed with 36:43, while in the 30–39 category the best was Yuri Kovtov, with a result of 31:28. In the 40–49 category the winner was Attila Szabó with 38:09, in the 50–59 category Robert Terek with 42:12, while in the 60+ category the fastest was Zoran Radičanin, who finished the race in 45:18.
Denis Firulović and Nina Bokan take the five-kilometre wins in a fight for every second
The strongest competition was in the five-kilometre race. In the men’s overall standings first place went to Denis Firulović, with a result of 16:00. Second was Dragan Narančić, 21, with 16:11, while third place was taken by Béla Nagy Geelrt, 34, with 16:22.
In the women’s field the fastest was Nina Bokan, 18, with a time of 21:24. Second place went to Noemi Varga, 21, with 22:35, while third was Marina Sočin, 41, with a result of 23:21.
More than 1,500 competitors successfully finished the races
Looking at the final results, a large number of participants successfully completed the 9th Subotica Half Marathon. Over the 21-kilometre distance 460 competitors crossed the finish line, while 495 participants ran and finished the 10 kilometres. In the five-kilometre race 568 competitors successfully crossed the finish line. An important part of the sporting spirit of the event is the fact that every participant who reached the finish had their own story of perseverance and success. The last competitor over 21 kilometres finished the race in 3:11:06, the last participant over 10 kilometres in 1:50:50, while the last competitor over five kilometres crossed the finish line in 1:03:15.
Refreshment stations and on-course support at a high level
The organisers paid particular attention to logistics and support for the runners. Refreshment stations were set up every 2.5 to 3 kilometres along the entire course, with a large main refreshment zone at the finish. Bottled water was available to the competitors, as well as isotonic drinks and fruit for quick energy and refreshment. Given the conditions during the race, cooling was also organised, so water curtains, that is, sprinklers, were set up at key points, along with sponges soaked in cold water. A large part of the work at the refreshment stations was carried out by young volunteers, and the organisers extend special thanks to all participants of the 9th Subotica Half Marathon who helped on the course and in other positions. Support for the runners was also provided by Subotica’s sports clubs, which actively joined the work at the refreshment stations and assisted the participants during the race in various ways.
A particular satisfaction for the organisers is the fact that there was not a single complaint or objection regarding the recorded times, which is another confirmation of the serious organisation and precision of the entire team.
Music, cheering and packed streets marked this year’s race
This year’s edition also brought a particularly powerful atmosphere along the entire course. A large number of DJ booths and music zones were set up, while musicians were positioned along the course, in the Chill zone and at the refreshment stations. The streets of Subotica were filled with spectators and, according to the organisers’ impressions, they have never been fuller of supporters during the half marathon than this time. Citizens joined in cheering the competitors en masse, giving them extra energy and encouragement in the toughest moments.
A special part of the programme was the traditional Pasta party, which this year broke all previous attendance records. Participants had the chance to socialise, relax and prepare for the race in an atmosphere that brought competitors and organisers even closer together.
All the races started exactly on time and the organisation was not marked by a single delay, which is another important indicator of the professional approach to this event.
The organiser of the 9th Subotica Half Marathon was the “Horizont” Association, which, together with numerous partners, volunteers, sports clubs and other participants, delivered the complete organisation of the event.
Guests from the region delighted by Subotica and the organisation
That the Subotica Half Marathon has outgrown the boundaries of the city and of Serbia is confirmed by the representatives of partner and guest races from Belgrade, Čačak, Sarajevo, Apatin, Sremska Mitrovica, Pula and Vinkovci, who expressed great satisfaction with the organisation of this year’s event. Cooperation with other cities and races is an important part of the event’s development. Just as guests from other places come to Subotica, so the Subotica Half Marathon takes part in races in other cities, further promoting the event, Subotica and the togetherness of the running community.
Guests and participants were especially pleased with the Pasta party, but also with the contents of the starter packs, which contained a large number of valuable gifts, including T-shirts featuring the image of Ivan Sarić, marking 120 years since his birth. Another special distinction of this year’s edition is the medal featuring Subotica’s City Hall, which, in the assessment of the organisers as well as the competitors, was the most beautiful so far.