One hundred runners from BiH, Croatia and Montenegro will take part in the second edition of the “Đemal Kasumović” memorial race, which will be held at the stadium in the Northern Camp in Mostar on Saturday, February 7.
The President of the Sports Association of the City of Mostar (SSGM), Ekrem Čolakhodžić, at the press conference held today, reminded that this race is held in honor and memory of Đemal Kasumović, an athlete and humanist who, as he said, selflessly contributed to the community.
– He was an athlete, a humanist, a man who loved this city and lived for it. He voluntarily cleaned and maintained the campuses of the University of Mostar and the University, he was a marathon runner and everyone who knew him loved him – said Čolakhodžić.
He added that this race is not only of a sporting nature, but that it aims to convey to the younger generations what Đemal Kasumović did for this city.
– He was a role model for many, and we want him to be a role model for young people as well, to have a positive and responsible attitude towards the community and the city. This memorial goes in the direction of showing young people what we should all be like – emphasized Čolakhodžić.
The representative of the Organizing Committee of the race, Mirela Babić, remembered the late Kasumović and his love for sports.
– He was a role model and supporter for us, and I remember when I met him for the first time, where he inquired about who ran the half marathon in Sarajevo, writing down the names and times of our runners on a sheet of paper. His heart grew as the racing community in Mostar grew – believes Babić, saying that this race is very emotional and full of meaning for many Mostars.
Sports manager at SSGM Vedran Ugljen presented the technical details of the race, explaining that it is an ultra-discipline lasting six hours, during which competitors run on a defined track with the aim of covering as much distance as possible. The runner who runs the longest section will be declared the winner, while all participants who run at least ten kilometers will receive a medal.
As he stated, the participants of the race will have to run at least ten kilometers in order to secure a medal and a memory of this year’s race.
There was great interest in the race, which is why the number of applications is limited to 100 participants.
– Due to the fact that the race takes place at the stadium in the North Camp, we had to limit registrations to 100 participants. Within fifteen days, all applications were filled, and today we have people on the waiting list. A hundred runners from BiH, Croatia and Montenegro are coming to us – confirmed Ugljen.
Last year’s race winner was Feđa Klarić, who ran over 70 kilometers.
Đemal Kasumović was an athlete and activist from Mostar. He gained the most popularity by conducting self-initiated actions to clean Trimuša, the trim track on Mostar’s Bijelo Brije, and the campus of the University of Mostar and the University. He passed away in February 2024.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
