European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen and First Vice President Dobromir Karamarinov attended the 22nd Podgorica Marathon on 25 October as part of their visit to Montenegro.
President Hansen, who was welcomed by the Mayor of Podgorica, Slavoljub Stijepovic, and President of the Athletics Federation of Montenegro, Milorad Vuletic, was impressed by the organisation and popularity of the event.
The Podgorica Marathon, one of the biggest road races in the region, was also the stage for the Balkan Marathon Championships and has been certified as a 5-Star Quality Road Race by European Athletics.
“It’s our aim for European Athletics to be a recognised partner in mass participation races and to support organisers and road runners themselves in any possible way,” said Hansen.
During a promising meeting with city officials and members of the Athletics Federation of Montenegro, Hansen and Karamarinov discussed the construction of an athletics stadium in Podgorica. They also shared their vision for the future of the sport and their efforts to raise the standards of endurance running across the continent.Following the marathon, Hansen took time to meet young members of the Mornar Athletic Club in Bar.