For Danko Despotović from Pljevlja, a participant in numerous marathons, running is a pleasure and a way to test one's own capabilities.
This forty-seven-year-old professor of Physical Culture at the "Tanasije Pejatović" Gymnasium in Pljevlja has so far run 14 half-marathons, four marathons and four ultramarathons. The last time he did it was in August, when he participated in the mountain race on Prokletije, where he ran the 30-kilometer track in seven hours and 40 minutes. It was, he points out, an exceptional test of endurance, because races in hilly areas are more demanding and difficult than running in urban areas.
"I decided to run hill-mountain races this year, because most street marathons in the region were canceled due to the pandemic, which is understandable because they usually gather a large number of participants. In hill-mountain races, the number of participants is significantly smaller and there is a large distance, the distance between the runners, which allows them to take place while respecting the measures. , on uneven terrain, stone, gravel, grass, mud, with big climbs where the load on the leg muscles is strong and during rapid descent from the mountain peaks", explains Danko, who after being hospitalized for corona in December last year and a break of three months this summer ran three mountain races.
He describes himself as a recreationist who is fulfilled by running.
"I like to run and it fulfills me. Especially mountain races, because of the natural beauty and along the way I meet new people with whom I exchange experiences. For some more serious results, one would have to train more and be younger", said this forty-seven-year-old.
The race on Prokletije, he points out, was the most demanding of all the ones he has participated in so far, due to the ascent to peaks over 2.200 meters high. Another Pljevljak, Željko Terzić, who lives in Podgorica, ran alongside Danko.
"During the thirty-kilometer race, we climbed over two thousand meters above sea level twice. How difficult it all was is also shown by the fact that out of about 200 participants, only 80 of them finished the race, and that out of about 80 participants who ran 50 kilometers, only 26 finished. There was an experienced runner, a marathoner, who runs about For 15 years, he has passed dozens of such trails around the world and for the first time in his life he had to give up. He told me that he didn't believe that moment would come when he wouldn't finish a race, but it happened to him at Prokletije, where he ran the second section for 5 hours and didn't manage to get to the checkpoint in time," said Despotović.
Among those who managed to overcome the entire course were people aged 50, 55 and over 60.
"One runner was 62 years old and did better than half the finishers, but he's been running since he was seven years old. I run recreationally, for pleasure, because I want to test and overcome my own capabilities. It's a kind of hobby and all the expenses of leaving. I would like it if I could successfully run at the age of 60 and over", said Despotović.
He started running the marathon five years ago, wanting to test and overcome his own abilities.
In June, Despotović ran a 25-kilometer mountain race on Mount Tara in Serbia in about 5 hours and 20 minutes. Then, in July, he ran a 45-kilometer course in Jadovnik, near Prijepolje, in about 6 hours and 10 minutes, before running in Prokletije in August.
The race at Prokletije took place in the area of the National Park and was scored, unlike Tara and Jadovnik, by the World Mountain Running Organization.
The participants of this race had to follow strict rules, which is confirmed by the example of one competitor from France, who was disqualified, even though another one crossed the finish line.
"It is mandatory that every runner has a waterproof nylon jacket, a so-called rustler, a thermal foil, a whistle, active clothes and a drink for invigoration. The sneakers used for running in the hills and mountains are special, with crampons for better adhesion to the ground, they are a bit more expensive from the ordinary ones", pointed out Despotović.
The track they ran on was marked, and refreshment drinks, high-energy food, and people monitoring the runners' health were placed in certain places.
"Efforts during running are great, as is the loss of fluid and salt, so it is not necessary to drink water, juices or isotonic drinks often. In order to regain strength, it is necessary to eat some high-energy food, such as chocolate bars, peanuts, bananas and the like. Physical endurance for very long and difficult races usually comes at a more mature age than the late twenties and develops during the thirties and forties," said Despotović.
He wants his example to be followed by as many young people as possible, because running, he points out, is a healthy and active way of life, which contributes to health.
"Several of my former students have followed in my footsteps and are engaged in recreational running on shorter distances, and they asked me for a suitable training program. "I run for pleasure and I want to constantly improve myself, exceed my capabilities, I care about maintaining a good form and occasionally moving away from the sedentary city life enclosed in the cramped spaces of rooms and vehicles," said Despotović.
His wish is to participate in the most prestigious marathon, on Mont Blanc, which is run for 170 kilometers.
"It is impossible for recreational athletes to participate if they do not collect enough points in registered races that are scored by the World Racing Organization. At least 10 points from two races are needed to fulfill one of the conditions for participation in the Mont Blanc ultramarathon, and that means successfully completing two races of at least 100 kilometers in length," said Despotović.
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