Ece Bakici recorded Turkey’s first International victory at the Balkan Championships in Elazig.

Cheered on by a passionate and vociferous home crowd in the Elite Women’s race, Bakici’s strong running helped her fend off the challenge of Stefania Ion to win her, and Turkey’s, first International title.

Ion, of Romania, finished in second place, a second podium finish in two Balkan Championships.

Berrack Mutlu completed a fantastic day for Turkey with third place on the podium.

Ognjen Stojanovic of Serbia won his first Elite European race in the Men’s Elite race.

A previous winner in Cartagena in the Ibero American Championships, this was Stojanovic’s first victory and podium in Europe since his Junior days in 2008.

Stojanovic dominated the race and finished almost a minute ahead of Bulgarian Emil Stoynev in second place.

Romanian Ciprian Balanescu completed the Elite Men’s podium in third place.