On Sunday, Skopje belonged to the runners. The 22nd Wizz Air Skopje Marathon drew more than 15,000 competitors from 63 countries, which the organisers billed as a record turnout. Sports Minister Borko Ristovski and Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski fired the start, and the marathon runners, half-marathoners and relay teams set off from Dimitrie Čupovski Street near the Rekord building, heading for the finish on Macedonia Square.

The marathon was won by Kenya's Derick Chege Njoroge in 2:12:56, ahead of his compatriot Edwin Kimaru Kosgei, who finished less than half a minute behind. Macedonia's best marathoner, Dario Ivanovski, last year's winner, took third place in 2:13:49 - less than a minute off the winner. Eighth place for Žan Tošev, the second-best Macedonian finisher, is also a result worth noting.

The women's race went to Dolphine Kemunto Nyagaka, ahead of her compatriots Kipkemoi and Kakuri. Kenyans dominated the half marathon too, where Kennedy Rono won and the best Macedonian, Mudžahid Mislimi, finished fourth. The five-kilometre race was won by Andrej Arsov and Irma Hajdari.

Beyond the results, the marathon had its show as well. The biggest crowd-pleaser was Hristijan Prodanov, who has spent several years running in superhero costumes - from Captain America to Batman. This year he ran dressed as Alexander the Great.

"The Skopje Marathon is a major sporting event that puts Skopje and Macedonia on the world sports map," said Minister Ristovski. That holds true for one Sunday morning, when parts of the city were closed to cars from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and opened to people instead. For one day Skopje showed what a city looks like when people run through it rather than sit in traffic jams. Maybe that is worth remembering after the marathon too.