The Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, ahead of the dm Women’s Race, which will be held on the 5th Ahead of the dm Women’s Race, which will be held on October 5 at Ada Ciganlija, the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation organized a panel titled “The Strength of Women, the Strength of the Community: Health, Running and Support Without Limits.”
The panel brought together experts in the fields of sport, medicine, and social inclusion, as well as inspiring female runners who shared their experiences and knowledge with the audience.
Health and Running at Every Stage of Life
In the first part of the panel, the speakers included cardiologist Dr. Milica Vukićević, runners Bojana Kaličanin and Milica Živanović, Jnana Prodanović, coach of the BMR club, and Marijana Milošević, a Nordic walking coach.
The participants spoke about the importance of proper training, cardiovascular risks in women, metabolic changes during perimenopause and menopause, as well as the challenges of nutrition and maintaining vitality. Special emphasis was placed on how running can help women more easily navigate hormonal changes and preserve their strength and health.
Mental Health and Psychological Resilience
Dr. Lushna Mehra, a psychologist from New York (Weill Cornell Medicine), addressed the audience via video link and spoke about the psychological benefits of marathon running and the impact of physical activity on thoughts, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.
Runners Milica Novković and Natalija Živić shared their experiences of balancing training, work, and family life, emphasizing the importance of sport in maintaining mental health.
Social Inclusion and Removing Barriers
In the final part of the panel, the focus was placed on social inclusion and the obstacles that people with disabilities face in sports. The participants included Jelena Radivojević, Master Professor of Sport and Physical Education and professional associate of SSOSIB, as well as Ivana Planojević, President of the Zvezdara Association for Sport and Recreation of Persons with Disabilities. They sent a strong message about breaking down prejudices and the importance of inclusion.
Dejana Bošnjaković, an expert associate of the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, and Zoja Milinković, a participant in Belgrade Marathon races, also shared their experiences. They spoke about the importance of inclusive sporting events and inspired those present with their personal examples.
The panel demonstrated how health, psychological resilience, and social inclusion are closely interconnected, and how powerful a community can be when women support and inspire one another.
The Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation will continue to develop programs that promote health, sport, and inclusion.
