Kenyans Valentina Jebet and Albert Kipkorir Tonui emerged as the winners of the 63rd International Street Race held today in Prijedor.
In the women’s competition, Milica Tomašević from Serbia secured second place, followed by Kenya’s Phyllis Cheboriyot in third. In the men’s competition, fellow Kenyans Hillary Kiptoo Maiyo Kimaiyo and Kennedy Rono Kipkeno took second and third places respectively.
Prijedor Mayor Slobodan Javor expressed his pleasure in continuing the tradition that spans 63 years.
- “It’s a wonderful sports event that gathers a large number of competitors under the motto ‘With Heart for Prijedor’. We have all categories, from the youngest kids, recreational runners, to professionals. We are especially pleased to welcome athletes from all over the world, including our dear, brotherly Russia,” said Javor.
Veljko Janjetović, President of the Association of Physical Education Teachers of Prijedor, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of both competitors and participants, as well as the support from fellow citizens.
- “There are always about a thousand elementary and high school students, and kids participating, and we have around twenty senior men and the same number of senior women in the main races,” Janjetović noted.
He added that athletes came from Kenya, Hungary, Russia, the USA, Slovenia, Croatia, BiH, Serbia, and Montenegro.
Race promoter Dragoslav Prpa from Serbia, who won on the streets of Prijedor in 1997, 1998, and 2000, praised the event.
- “I came here today at the organizers’ invitation, as this is my first appearance since I retired in 2003. I must say that the race has significantly advanced compared to those times. The organization is better, everything is better. The turnout, especially among the younger categories, which are the backbone of athletics and represent the future, is phenomenal. The audience is large, as always. This is a very successful project that should continue to thrive,” assessed Prpa.
The race, part of the European Athletics Association calendar, is organized by the Association of Physical Education Teachers of Prijedor and sponsored by the City of Prijedor and the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sports of Republika Srpska.
The street race is part of the program commemorating May 16, the Day of the City.
Source: RTRS
