The 33rd Republika Srpska Cross-Country Championship was held in Pale on Sunday, bringing together approximately 100 athletes from 15 athletics clubs. Despite challenging weather conditions and snowfall, competitors participated in races across several age categories.
Organized by the Pale Athletics Club, the championship featured individual and team competitions for male and female athletes in pioneer, junior and senior categories.
Race distances were adjusted according to the competitors’ ages and categories.
Vrhovac: Athletics plays a vital role in children’s development
Dalibor Vrhovac, Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of Republika Srpska, explained that the federation aims to organize the annual cross-country championship in different towns, particularly those whose athletics clubs do not have access to dedicated running tracks.
He noted that this was the 33rd cross-country championship since the federation’s establishment.
Vrhovac emphasized the importance of such competitions for the development of athletics and sports in general.
“It is extremely important for children to participate in sports and develop healthy habits rather than spending too much time using modern devices and social media,” Vrhovac stated.
He explained that athletics, alongside gymnastics and swimming, is considered one of the fundamental sports children should experience before choosing a particular discipline.
According to Vrhovac, Republika Srpska has 28 registered athletics clubs affiliated with its federation, while BiH has 59 registered clubs.
Pale Athletics Club wins recognition for its development
Teodora Lazarević, President of the Pale Athletics Club, said hosting the championship was a great honor and recognition of the club’s efforts to develop athletics.
She recalled that the club was established in 2004 and remained active until 2016 before returning to competition in 2023.
Since its return, the club has achieved significant results.
“We have the best female pioneer athlete in both BiH and Republika Srpska, Sara Lučić, and this season we have won more than 700 medals,” Lazarević said.
She emphasized that the club is committed to representing Pale successfully while ensuring that visiting athletes leave with positive memories of the competition.
The Pale Athletics Club participated in the championship with 24 competitors across pioneer, junior and senior categories.
Athletes compete over distances ranging from one to six kilometers
The championship races were held on a 500-meter course, with competitors completing different distances depending on their age categories.
Female pioneer athletes competed over one kilometer, while male pioneers ran two kilometers.
Female juniors competed over three kilometers, while male juniors and female seniors raced over four kilometers.
The men’s senior competition covered six kilometers.
Lazarević emphasized that athletics provides an essential foundation for other sports and that the club continues to encourage children to embrace physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Municipality of Pale continues supporting youth sports
Marko Lazarević, Adviser to the Mayor of Pale, said the municipal administration proudly supports sporting events and maintains strong cooperation with the Pale Athletics Club.
He particularly praised the dedication of club president and coach Teodora Lazarević.
According to him, her efforts in organizing competitions, coaching athletes and managing the club have contributed significantly to its development.
He confirmed that the municipal administration would continue supporting sports clubs, children, young people and initiatives promoting healthy habits.
Young athletes overcome difficult weather conditions
Among the competitors was 12-year-old Sara Lučić, a member of the Pale Athletics Club, who participated in the younger girls’ pioneer category over 1,000 meters.
Lučić explained that the weather made racing more difficult because the course was slippery and covered with puddles.
Nevertheless, she welcomed the strong competition, noting that several participants had previously won medals at Republika Srpska and BiH championships.
Jovan Rosić, coach of the Borac Athletics Club from Banja Luka, said his club arrived in Pale with nine female athletes competing in pioneer, junior and senior categories.
He acknowledged that the snowfall and weather conditions had surprised the participants.
However, Rosić emphasized that challenging conditions are part of what makes cross-country running a distinctive and exciting athletic discipline.
The championship once again highlighted the importance of developing athletics in Republika Srpska and encouraging young people to participate in competitive sports.
Source: RTRS
