Klaudija Mikulić, Bijeli Brijeg, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Đemo
Author: Klaudija Mikulić
Đemo took his first running steps in Trimuša. It was around 50 years ago. The beautiful trail, mostly surrounded by pine forest, connected to the Partisan Memorial Cemetery, was an ideal place for athletes, recreational runners, and anyone who wanted to enjoy nature. He used to run 10, 20, 30 laps. Soon, it became monotonous for him, so he started running what he called “international routes.”
He ran to neighboring places: Jablanica, Široki Brijeg, Međugorje, Čapljina, Nevesinje, Podveležje, Gubavica … and would return to Mostar by bus. After that, he started running “circular routes,” returning to Mostar on foot.
He seized every opportunity and ran, alone or in company. Running was not popular in these areas at the time. There were no organized races in the vicinity, so enthusiasts of long-distance running organized races themselves.
Selman Sandro ran an ultra marathon of 165 km in 1983, from Bihać to Jajce. Đemo joined him in Ključ and ran with him all the way to the finish line in Jajce, covering approximately 65 km.
Đemo is proud of his personal best time. It occurred precisely at noon, under the scorching Mostar sun. He ran 12 km from the Gymnasium in Mostar to the Hotel on the Buna River in 48 minutes.
An interesting story revolves around Đemo’s longest segment. He ran from the Old Bridge in Mostar to the Old Stone Bridge in Konjic, thus connecting these two masterpieces of Ottoman architecture through his running. He personally devised a 45-day training plan, during which he ran 45 km every day.
On the day of the opening of the stone bridge in Konjic, at 1:00 am, he set off from the Old Bridge in Mostar with a friend and his daughter accompanying him in a car. He ran effortlessly, without any running issues, but was attacked by stray dogs at the 30th kilometer. He was briefly forced to enter the car. Đemo jokingly says he was disqualified. He reached the renovated Stone Bridge in Konjic in 8 hours and 10 minutes. At the age of 58, he completed his longest segment of 74 km.
Immediately after its establishment in 2018, Đemo joined the Sanus Motus running school. “Everyone loves me there,” he says. When he mentions his friends, he can’t hide his emotions. Đemo is the beloved spirit of the running school and every race he participates in. He has run half marathons in Duisburg (Germany), Sarajevo, Banja Luka, all 7 Mostar Half Marathons, as well as 10 km races in Konjic, Tomislavgrad, Stolac… Interestingly, in 2020, he ran the 4th Mostar Half Marathon twice. The first time, he ran alone because the race was postponed due to the lockdown. The second time, he ran the well-known route with his team, crossing six city bridges, one of the most beautiful half-marathon running tracks in the region.
On one occasion, while strolling through the city, he arrived at Trimuša. What he saw deeply saddened him. The place where he took his first running steps, his first love, Trimuša, was impassable, overgrown with weeds and shrubs, and full of garbage. The next day, he brought tools and started cleaning it up. He decided to make the impassable parts of the trail accessible for everyone who wants to enjoy running. After a few days, Boris joined him. He skillfully used a saw and trimmer, which made the work progress much faster. They became a good team and very good friends.
With his hard work, he inspired other volunteers and city services. The team from the Mostar Half Marathon, the Citizens’ Initiative Together for Trimuša, as well as other associations, joined Đemo. Every Tuesday afternoon, the team would come for a work action, but Đemo worked every day, from Tuesday to Tuesday. He would often arrive at Trimuša before dawn. He would sit on a bench and wait for the street lights to turn off. That would be the signal for him to start working. He wouldn’t leave the forest until dark. The night couldn’t extinguish Đemo’s work ethic; he eagerly awaited the new day to start all over again.
Although Trimuša has gained a new look and shine, Đemo says he hasn’t finished everything he envisioned. He still has more plans.
Đemo also cleaned other parts of the city: the surroundings of the Sutina cemetery, the Military Playground, the site of the former North Camp barracks, where he lovingly cleaned around the kindergarten for a “little paradise.”
People see that Đemo is a good person and a diligent worker, so they offer him jobs. But he’s not interested. He says he wouldn’t do it with joy, but rather out of obligation.
Although he is bothered by the irresponsibility of some citizens, it doesn’t discourage him. He continues at the same pace every day. He is a man of cheerful spirit and a big heart. He jokingly says, “My heart is like that big plate of beans.” X-ray images show how big Đemo’s athletic heart is, but his love for making this world a better place is even greater. Đemo’s measure is to work without measure.