EVALUATION OF THE BENEFITS FOR THE CITY OF BELGRADE FROM HOSTING THE EUROPEAN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP IN BELGRADE 2027

Abstract

In the global sports market, major sporting events hold a significant place, with mass running events standing out due to their widespread nature, frequency, and large number of participants. The running movement, which originated and grew globally in the late 20th century, brings financial and other revenue and benefits to the organizers and host cities of these events. The increased need for physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, along with globalization and improved transport links, are leading more people to participate in running events abroad. As a result, the number of running events is also increasing, as they recognize the potential material and non-material benefits, including tourism and other sources of income for the local economy, job creation, revenue from TV rights and taxes, local and regional development, improved community image, and upgrades to urban infrastructure, as well as the promotion of sport, recreation, and health. The popularity, dynamism, and growth of running events are further supported by the fact that there are practically no open spots in the calendar of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), which brings together cities that organize street races, marathons, and half-marathons, and is one of the world's largest sports organizations. The benefits of mass running events have also been recognized by the European Athletics Association. In partnership with established organizers of mass running events that attract tens of thousands of participants, they have enriched their traditional practice of organizing standard races on open and indoor athletic arenas by introducing official running competitions on city streets for the 10 km, half-marathon, and marathon distances. The Belgrade Marathon, which has been held regularly since 1988 and attracts an increasing number of runners from all continents each year, reached 14,000 participants from 73 countries last year in the 10 km, half-marathon, and marathon races. It is considered one of the most prestigious marathon races in Europe, a status confirmed by the "5-Star Running Event" recognition, the highest international standard. Thanks to this standing within the family of European mass running events, Belgrade was awarded the prestigious European Running Championships, which will take place in April 2027 as part of the 40th anniversary Belgrade Marathon. The event is expected to attract 25,000 elite and runners from all European countries and recreational runners from Serbia and many other countries. In addition to the race participants and their companions, Belgrade will also host numerous runners' managers and running event organizers from around the world at the World Running Conference, which will be held as part of the European Running Championships. This paper assesses the economic, promotional, sporting, and educational benefits for the City of Belgrade from hosting the European Running Championships Belgrade 2027.