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First-time competitor wins marathon 
Serbian-born Toronto resident Predrag Mladenovic took home top spot in
the 42-kilometre the Canon Mississauga
Marathon, finishing with a new record time of 2:23:17. Competing
for the first time in the marathon, Mladenovic beat the next closest
competitor, Quebec's Terry Gehl, by six minutes and 18 seconds. The former winner of Yugoslavia and Serbia in the discipline of 3,000
meters hurdle-race, tried himself for the first time in a marathon race, and
made a huge success. Mr. Mladjenovic's goal is to take part in major sport's
events under the Serbian flag, a dream he couldn't achieve in his best years,
due to the troublesome situation in Yugoslavia.
 When Predrag Mladenovic read the sign that said 30
kilometres, he looked over his shoulder and saw no one for the longest stretch.
At that point he knew he was going to win the Mississauga Marathon.
Today's event was the first marathon race for the
35-year-old painter who came to Toronto in 2002
from Serbia.
With no professional training and no sponsorship, he single-handedly won the
42-kilometre Canon Marathon, the longest of seven races being run as part of
the Mississauga Marathon. Mladenovic crossed the finish line in 2:23:17.
"I trained myself for seven weeks on top of my
job," said Mladenovic. "Hopefully, some sponsors will notice me cause
I'm born to be a runner."
 More than 10,000 participants ran in the six mini and half
marathons held yesterday and today. Runners couldn't have asked for a better
weather, as the clear blue skies and mild temperatures made for ideal
conditions.
Quebec's Nathalie Goyer was the first woman to complete the
42-kilometre marathon in 2:51:49. Despite being the winner three
consecutive years, Goyer couldn't break her own record this time.
Exhausted from the challenging races, the runners were diagnosed by medics
and treated to a relaxing massage by therapists. Some runners planned to take
at least a week off to fully recover.As for Mladenovic, the encouragement he
got from winning his first marathon has already charged him up for another.
"My friends, I promise I will break my own record next year," he
announced to a cheering crowd as he received his trophy.
For someone who plans to participate and win in a marathon, Mladenovic
recommends runners conserve as much energy as possible for the last dash. His
strategy, which was to keep a consistently low pace for most of the race,
helped him win, he said.
by Mansoor Khan, May 13, 2007
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