Thoughts by Clay Shaw
3.30.2024 Belgrade, Serbia—It was my 17th World XC and Karen’s 10th. It was one of the best as far as having the infield just for credentialed photographers and media, along with a few coaches and athletes as the day went on. It’s crazy when we have to “fight” the general public for photo room and getting place-to-place in a hurry.
It was hot, bloody hot as some might say. The weather was normal when we arrived in Serbia on Tuesday, and boy did it get hot for race day. Before we left home, the weather app said that today would be a high of 61°; it was more like 83° by mid-day. Media staff, lucky us, had sunscreen. Plenty of water was available.
Our hotel was in a rather perfect location, just a block from the main boulevard and bridge into the city proper also known as Old Town, or Old Belgrade. We were in New Belgrade with lots of straight streets in a grid, with new office buildings and old Communist block, massive apartment buildings.
We did a day trip to Timisoara, Romania. We took an afternoon to travel on the new train to another city named Novi Sad. (The Serbian people love their new, fast train.) We had a morning to tour Old Belgrade, the Fortress, Republic Square, and the following morning a fast six-mile walk to St Sava Orthodox Church, which was spectacular.
The venue and course were great. Because the area is flat, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) added several hurdling spots made of haybales, two big blue ramps, and a serious mud pit that really dirtied the athletes after multiple laps. We will be covering all the races, starting tomorrow after our early, very early flight on Easter morning. Look for many great photos of the athletes and more.
As far as the running goes, it was Beatrice Chebet and Jacob Kiplimo defending the titles they won in Bathurst, Australia in 2023.
Kudos to the (LOC) who organized the meet with a very short window. Well done, Belgrade 24.
Categories: Race Coverage
Runner's Gazette 
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