Historic Victory at Belgrade Half Marathon
Serbian long-distance runner Elzan Bibic achieved a significant milestone on Sunday, November 23, 2025, by winning the 6th Belgrade Half Marathon and establishing a new national record. Bibic completed the 21.0975-kilometer race in a remarkable time of 61 minutes and 47 seconds, marking the first instance a Serbian athlete has run the distance in under 62 minutes.
A New National Benchmark
Bibic's record-breaking performance surpassed the long-standing national record of 62:11, which was set by Janko Bensa in 1998 at the World Half Marathon Championships. This achievement follows another recent success for Bibic, who also set a national 10km record of 28:45 just the previous weekend. His consistent form underscores his position as a dominant force in Serbian athletics.
The Belgrade Half Marathon Event
The 6th Sava Insurance Belgrade Half Marathon 2025, held in the Serbian capital, attracted approximately 5,000 participants from 52 countries. The event featured a newly designed, flatter course through the streets of New Belgrade and Zemun, with both the start and finish lines located in front of the Belgrade Arena. This course modification was implemented to provide optimal conditions for runners to achieve faster times and higher-quality results, aligning with preparations for upcoming European Championships that Belgrade will host.
Elzan Bibic's Illustrious Career
Born on January 8, 1999, Elzan Bibic is widely recognized as Serbia's top middle- and long-distance runner. He holds numerous Serbian national records across various distances, including the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m. His career highlights include a bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 2019 European Under-23 Championships and a bronze medal in the 3000 meters at the 2023 European Indoor Championships. Bibic's latest triumph further solidifies his legacy and serves as an inspiration for the Serbian running community.
5 Comments
Noir Black
Absolutely incredible! Bibic is a national hero.
Eugene Alta
The Belgrade Half Marathon is clearly growing in stature with its international participation and new course, which is great for the city. But focusing solely on speed records might overshadow the broader appeal of endurance running for everyday athletes.
KittyKat
Still not competitive with top international times. Manage expectations.
Leonardo
Bibic's talent is undeniable, and breaking a national record is a huge accomplishment. However, the flatter course does introduce a variable when comparing it directly to previous records.
Donatello
While Bibic's dedication is inspiring and he's a clear leader in Serbian running, the long-term health of the sport relies on more than just one superstar. We need wider investment in youth development.