Sremska Mitrovica Ready to Welcome Participants and Visitors to the First Charity Night Half Marathon

Every Kilometer Run Brings New Hope for Someone's Health

30 July 2026

By Ljiljana Alagić

For years, conversations with runners and marathon enthusiasts from Sremska Mitrovica revealed one common wish—to see their city, the largest urban center in the Srem region, host its own marathon or half marathon. With its beautifully landscaped Sava River promenade, wide streets, and excellent running routes, Sremska Mitrovica has long been considered the perfect setting for such an event.

That long-awaited vision will become reality on 8 August, when the city hosts the first Charity Night Half Marathon – Sirmium 21/7.

The race, scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m., will be held under the slogan:

"Some run for a medal. Some run for a personal best. We run for those living with rare diseases."

The event aims to support people affected by rare diseases, reminding them that they are not alone in their fight and that a caring community stands beside them with compassion, understanding, and hope.

Behind this inspiring combination of sport and humanitarian action is the VHL Serbia Association for Rare Diseases, supported by the American pharmaceutical company MSD, in partnership with the Academy of Health, which has been successfully operating in Ruma and Sremska Mitrovica for many years. The event has also received invaluable support from the City of Sremska Mitrovica and the local Sports Association.

Nearly one thousand runners have already registered, with organizers expecting even more entries during the final week before the race. Participants from 14 countries are expected to take part, including runners from across Europe, neighboring Balkan countries, as well as the United States and Canada.

In recent days, the city on the banks of the Sava has been filled with excitement. Young residents, experienced athletes, and recreational runners alike have embraced the upcoming event. Along the city streets and riverside promenade, runners of all ages can be seen preparing for either the 7-kilometre race or the 21-kilometre half marathon.

Many are motivated simply by the desire to help, embracing the message that taking part is what truly matters. Elite competitors will undoubtedly pursue personal records, but every participant—regardless of pace or ambition—will contribute to supporting people living with Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome and other rare diseases.

Beyond its sporting and humanitarian purpose, Sirmium 21/7 will also offer a vibrant festival atmosphere. After the races, participants and visitors will enjoy a large outdoor celebration on the city's river beach featuring several DJs, refreshments, relaxation areas with bean bags, and entertainment for all ages.

Judging by the enthusiasm surrounding the event, it is safe to say that Sremska Mitrovica has gained a new tradition. Alongside its well-known cultural and public events that attract thousands of visitors each year, the city now welcomes a spectacular new sporting occasion.

The Sirmium 21/7 Charity Night Half Marathon has already become one of the city's newest and most recognizable brands.Local Athletes and Recreational Runners Welcome the Night Half Marathon with Enthusiasm

As already mentioned, runners and recreational athletes from Sremska Mitrovica have eagerly awaited the city's first half marathon and are actively preparing for race day. The event has also generated considerable excitement among local athletics clubs, especially among younger athletes, for whom this occasion represents much more than a sporting competition.

One of those looking forward to the event is Bojan Selaković, a football referee from Laćarak, whose humanitarian efforts have previously been featured in our newspaper. Over the years, he has participated in half marathons in Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Ruma, wearing a T-shirt displaying an SMS donation number to support the rehabilitation of a young girl named Teodora.

During one of our previous conversations, Bojan expressed his hope that Sremska Mitrovica would one day organize a half marathon similar to the successful race held each year in neighboring Ruma.

"I'm thrilled that our city is finally hosting its own half marathon," says Bojan, who will compete in the 7-kilometre race, as he is currently preparing for the start of the football refereeing season.

He adds that many of his friends are training for the full 21-kilometre half marathon, while his next humanitarian challenge will take him back to Ruma in September, where he and three friends will once again run as a relay team in support of Teodora.

Another local athlete preparing for the event is Marjana Cingeli, a triathlete from Sremska Mitrovica who regularly competes in races across Serbia and abroad. As we have reported on several occasions, Marjana is currently training for one of the world's most demanding endurance competitions—the Ironman race, which will take place at Olympic Beach in Greece later this September.

The 7-kilometre race fits perfectly into her training schedule, making participation in her hometown's night half marathon an easy decision.

Marjana believes one of the greatest advantages of the event is its evening start.

"Running in the evening means avoiding the intense summer heat, making the race much more enjoyable for everyone."

She recently achieved another remarkable sporting success by finishing third overall at the Gran Fondo Fruška Gora cycling race against world-class competition, earning qualification for the European Championship in Italy.

Running for Hope: Raising Awareness of Rare Diseases

Inspired by the upcoming event, we spoke with the people who brought the idea to life, hoping to learn more about both the race itself and Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome, a rare genetic disease that Ljiljana Alagić from Ruma has been courageously battling for the past 18 years.

Ljiljana, founder of the VHL Serbia Association, together with Marko Lazarević, is one of the driving forces behind the first Sirmium 21/7 Charity Night Half Marathon.

Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare inherited genetic disorder that causes tumors and cysts to develop in various organs, most commonly affecting the brain, spinal cord, pancreas, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Living with VHL presents constant challenges. Patients require lifelong medical monitoring, regular therapies, and often undergo complex surgical procedures. Ljiljana herself has already undergone seven major surgeries. Apart from her first operation, performed in Belgrade, all subsequent procedures took place in the United States, where specialized treatment for this rare disease is available.

Today, nearly 50 families in Serbia are affected by VHL syndrome. So far, nine patients have gained access to innovative therapies, thanks largely to the work of the VHL Serbia Association and the support of MSD.

Over the years, the Association has achieved historic progress in improving treatment access, expanding medical knowledge, and improving the quality of life for people living with VHL."The Idea Came Straight from the Heart"

Speaking about how the event came to life, Ljiljana Alagić explains that the inspiration was born through everyday rehabilitation sessions rather than formal planning.

"The idea for organizing the half marathon came quite naturally—it truly came from the heart.

Because of my health condition, I regularly attend rehabilitation sessions at the Academy of Health with Marko Lazarević. During our conversations, I realized how much he loved the Sava River and the beautiful promenade in Sremska Mitrovica, where he often relaxes while watching the river. He had always dreamed of organizing a race there.

At the same time, the American pharmaceutical company that supports our association gave me the opportunity to develop a project that would raise awareness of VHL syndrome while providing support for people living with rare diseases.

Bringing those two ideas together felt completely natural."

Ljiljana says that Sremska Mitrovica quickly proved to be the ideal place to make the vision a reality.

"From the very beginning, we received tremendous support from the City of Sremska Mitrovica and the local Sports Association. Everyone welcomed the idea with genuine enthusiasm, kindness, and professionalism. We couldn't have asked for better partners."

The organizers wanted the event to become much more than a sporting competition.

"Our goal was to create an experience that combines sport, education, music, and humanitarian work.

The National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORBS) will hold educational presentations about rare diseases. There will also be donation boxes for people who are not affected by rare diseases but urgently need financial support for life-saving surgeries or who use wheelchairs.

We simply want everyone to contribute according to their abilities. Every donation matters."

Support has also come from local businesses and friends of the Association.

"Through my husband, who owns the Home Cafeteria in Ruma, we received a donation of premium coffee from France. The coffee will be prepared and sold during the event, with all proceeds going to charity.

We will also offer ice cream, as well as five-minute sports massages for runners and visitors, with every activity contributing to our humanitarian mission."

Despite everything she has endured, Ljiljana speaks with remarkable optimism and energy.

Her determination has become an inspiration not only to families living with rare diseases but also to everyone involved in organizing the event.

Building Bridges Between Two Neighboring Cities

Ljiljana is also preparing an educational project for children in Ruma, scheduled to be launched later this year.

She says she is especially proud that the half marathon has brought together two neighboring communities—Ruma and Sremska Mitrovica—through a shared humanitarian mission.

For years, Ruma has successfully organized its own city half marathon, attracting participants from across Serbia, including many runners from Sremska Mitrovica.

Now, that friendship is becoming even stronger.

As President of the VHL Serbia Association, Ljiljana says she is deeply moved by the overwhelming response from the community.

"The greatest reward is seeing how genuinely happy people are to take part in this event. Their enthusiasm gives us hope that together we can make a real difference."

The Association is also inviting local residents to nominate fellow citizens who are in need of financial assistance for medical treatment, so that future fundraising initiatives can be organized on their behalf.

The promotional campaign has attracted many of the city's most accomplished athletes, including Serbia's leading triathlete Lana Gavrilović, athletes Aleksandra Kostadinović, Jovana Šubatlija, Marija Vučenović, coach Bojan Komlenić, and many others, all lending their support to the event and its hum"Sport Has the Power to Unite People Around a Common Cause"

Marko Lazarević, founder of the Academy of Health and one of the initiators of the event, has spent years helping people improve their health through rehabilitation, corrective exercise, and treatment of spinal and neuromuscular conditions. Through his daily work, he has come to understand the challenges faced by people living with rare diseases and the importance of community support.

Reflecting on how the idea for the half marathon was born, he recalls:

"The idea came about quite spontaneously, over coffee and during one of Ljiljana's rehabilitation sessions at my training facility.

Ljiljana wanted to raise awareness of rare diseases, while I had always believed that the Sava river promenade in Sremska Mitrovica was one of the most beautiful places in the city and the perfect location for a running event.

Those two ideas naturally came together."

According to Marko, the support of the City of Sremska Mitrovica and local institutions made it possible to turn that vision into reality.

"We established excellent cooperation with the local authorities, and the project quickly became a reality.

Everything has gone according to plan, and we are all eagerly counting down to race day.

This event gives us an opportunity not only to talk about rare diseases but also to show that sport and humanity can bring people together in support of those who need us most.

Our goal is to make this event as inclusive and well attended as possible while fulfilling both its sporting and humanitarian mission."

The race will begin on the Sava river promenade, near today's Tegla Bar. From there, runners will head toward the road bridge before continuing through the heart of Sremska Mitrovica's historic city centre.

The route has been carefully designed to minimize disruption to the city's main traffic arteries while showcasing some of Sremska Mitrovica's most beautiful streets and landmarks.

Along the 7-kilometre course, four entertainment zones featuring live DJs will encourage and motivate runners throughout the race, creating an energetic atmosphere for both participants and spectators.

More Than a Race

The Sirmium 21/7 Charity Night Half Marathon is far more than a sporting event.

It is a celebration of solidarity, compassion, and community—a place where elite athletes, recreational runners, families, volunteers, sponsors, and visitors come together with one shared purpose: to support people living with rare diseases.

Every registration, every donation, every step taken along the streets of Sremska Mitrovica sends a powerful message that no one should face life's greatest challenges alone.

On 8 August, the city will welcome runners from 14 countries, but the true victory will not be measured by finish times or medals.

It will be measured by the awareness raised, the lives touched, and the hope shared.

Because, in the end,

Every kilometre run brings new hope for someone's health.

Dejan Mostarlić