Belgrade Marathon wins 2018 AIMS Social Award

The award was made in recognition of their work with runners living with disabilities and for other social initiatives in pursuit of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Over the last four years the “Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon” programme has spotlighted dozens of people, many living with disabilities, who overcame challenges to finish the Belgrade Marathon. The purpose of this initiative is to support and encourage those living with disabilities to participate equally in sporting events. There is an annual award ceremony held in Belgrade City Hall.

Belgrade Marathon also supports the “Mama Fit” initiative which promotes the importance of safe physical activity for women during and after pregnancy. In 2018 more than 500 pregnant women, new mothers and their families took part in the Belgrade Marathon fun run.

Race Director Dejan Nikolic said: “The Belgrade Marathon has emphasised social engagement for many years, especially in our work with runners living with disabilities. Our programme Mama Fit has shown how sport is a powerful medium for promoting important social and health messages.”

The two other shortlisted races were the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race and the Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia.