Hanžeković_Memorial
Hanžeković Memorial
Athletics event in Zagreb
Hanžeković Memorial (Croatian: Hanžekovićev memorijal), known also as Zagreb Meeting and Hanžek (hypocorism of the surname Hanžeković), is an annual three-day athletics event held first weekend of September at three different locations in Zagreb, Croatia as part of the IAAF World Challenge Meetings. It was first organized in 1951. Long jump and pole vault competition Zagreb CIty Challenge is held at the Ban Jelačić Square,[1] shot put Ivan Ivančić Memorial in front of the National and University Library[2] and all other competitions at the Sports Park Mladost athletic stadium.
Hanžek (which is the popular name of meeting) was first held in 1951 as a local level meeting. Seven years later, in 1958, it became an international competition. From 1999 to 2009 the IAAF classified the Hanžeković Memorial among IAAF Grand Prix meetings and it gained IAAF World Challenge meeting status upon the inauguration of that series in 2010.
The meeting got its name in memory of renowned Zagreb runner Boris Hanžeković. He was the junior state champion in 100 and 200 meter races multiple times, in the 110 m hurdles and in both 4 x 100 metres relay and 4 x 400 metres relay. He ran for HŠK Concordia.[3] During World War II in Yugoslavia, Hanžeković refused to run for the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). Charged with associating with the Partisans, he was imprisoned in the Jasenovac concentration camp where he was killed in an inmate breakout on 22 April 1945.[4] In his honour, 110 metres hurdles race is hold and is known as "Boris Hanžeković memorial race" (Memorijalna utrka Borisa Hanžekovića).[5]
Sandra Perković won Memorial record 11 times.[6]
