Serbian athletes Olivera Jevtić and Đuro Borbelj, winners of the half-marathon in Bor

210 athletes participated in the half-marathon in Bor, 115 of them ran 21 kilometers, while recreational athletes ran nine and six kilometers on the same route and at the same time. – According to the words of the organizers, this year’s competition was one of the best and by far the most massive so far. The participants of the half-marathon pointed out that the track was challenging, with many curves and undulations, and praised the organization and the clean air in Bor. – The sports event attracted a record number of participants from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, China, and Kenya to the city of copper. Among them are the legends of the “queen of sports” in our country and region, Olivera Jevtić and Đuro Borbelj.  Jevtić ran the 21-kilometer track in one hour, 19 minutes, and 30 seconds, and Borbelj in one hour, six minutes, and 42 seconds.

BOR. – Sun-bathed Bor hosted the best long-distance runners in Serbia for the 18th time (November 17). This time, under the name “Bor Winter Zijin’s Half Marathon”, since it was sponsored by two of Zijin’s companies and a subcontracting Chinese company, the sports event, which is the embodiment of endurance, solidarity, friendship, and good energy, attracted a record number of participants from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, China, and Kenya to the city of copper. Among them are the legends of the “queen of sports” in our country and region, Olivera Jevtić and Đuro Borbelja.

210 athletes participated in the half-marathon in Bor, 115 of them ran 21 kilometers, while recreational athletes ran nine and six kilometers on the same route and at the same time. According to the organizers, this year’s competition was one of the best and by far the most massive so far. The participants of the half-marathon pointed out that the track was challenging, with many curves and undulations, and they praised the organization and the clean air in Bor.

In the men’s competition, the best was the current champion of Serbia in the marathon, Đuro Borbelj from Apatin, who ran the course in one hour, six minutes, and 42 seconds. It was also the personal record of Sergeant Borbelj, a member of the Sports Unit of the Military Academy of the Ministry of Defense, and also the record of the Bor Half Marathon.

– I improved my personal record by 15 seconds and I am very satisfied. The competition was strong, which was an additional incentive for me, and the track was demanding and with a lot of curves. It was difficult to keep the same pace all the time and chase a personal record, but I persevered and succeeded in the end – said Borbelj.

Kenyan Stanley Kipruto crossed the finish line second, and Velimir Bojović came third. Both of them pointed out that the half marathon was well organized and that they would be glad to run again in Bor next year.

The Serbian long-distance runner with the most trophies, legendary Olivera Jevtić, won the veteran category in the women’s competition, and she ran the 21-kilometer track in one hour, 19 minutes, and 30 seconds. The second place was won by Slađana Stamenković, and the third by Milena Simonović. 50 women ran the Bor Half Marathon this year.

– It is my first time participating in the half-marathon in Bor, but it is not my first time in this city. As a pioneer and senior, I won cross country and state championships here. Competition is always strong, and I am always my biggest competition. Most of the competitors are strategizing, while I start with all my strength. The organizers did a great job of defining a course in a small area, which is extremely difficult and resembles a street race, but I am a specialist in such races. I am glad that I persevered and that everything went as it should – said Jevtić.

Jovan Jovanović ran nine kilometers the fastest in the men’s competition, for whom this is his 130th time participating in the half-marathon. Jovan recently ran in the “Blue Circle around Ada”, considering that he suffers from diabetes.

–And this half-marathon in Bor is special, because people with diabetes run the desired distance together with other runners. In this way, on a personal example, we show that there are no limits in life with diabetes – said this twenty-nine-year-old.

Aco Jovanović was second on the nine-kilometer course, and Damir Sejdija was third. Among women, Ana Ćebić took first place, Nađa Maksimović second, and Vanja Jović third.

In the six-kilometer race, Aleksandar Kostić from Leskovac was first, Djordje Ivanović from Šabac was second, and Jovan Mišić from Požarevac was third. Sandra Randjelović ran the fastest course in the women’s competition, Tiksi Stojmenović was second, and Milica Živković was third.

The youngest participant of the “Bor Winter Zijin’s Half-Marathon” was seven-year-old Sara Arsić from Zaječar, and the oldest was ninety-one-year-old Vlada Stevanović from Belgrade.

–This half-marathon is the crown of our work over the past 18 years and, in a way, celebration of coming-of-age sports event traditionally organized by the Bor Athletic Club. The best ones in Serbia responded and thus magnified our celebration. It is difficult to organize an outdoor race, but everything went well and under the watchful eye of professional judges. I hope that the sponsors are also satisfied, as not a small amount of money has been set aside to make everything look like this, so I hope that their support will not be lacking in the coming years either – said the secretary of the Bor Athletic Club Staniša Aksić.

Two of Zijin’s companies – Serbia Zijin Copper and Serbia Zijin Mining and their subcontractor the company Haian are sponsoring the half-marathon for the first time and have made an effort to ensure that, together with the local government of Bor, it is superbly organized.

–We have provided free transportation from several cities in Serbia, meals, refreshing drinks, and valuable cash prizes for the best. The half-marathon promotes a healthy and modern lifestyle, but also the reduction of carbon emissions, which is fully in line with Zijin’s philosophy of green mining and sustainable development. The aim of this event is to promote health and a better life in Bor, with a focus on education about the importance of physical activity. With every step we take, we are closer to the green dream, and that is the slogan of the half-marathon. That is why we gladly accepted to be part of this manifestation – said the Deputy General Manager for Socially Responsible Business Operations in Serbia Zijin Copper Zhang Yicheng.

Employees of Srbija Zijin Copper were among those who ran one of the three distances. One of them, thirty-four-year-old Zhong Zhiqiang, came to Serbia two months ago and is employed at “Jama”, the oldest mine in Bor.