Jovica Spajić

About

Jovica Spajić is a Serbian ultrarunner and extreme endurance athlete born in 1987 in Priboj, western Serbia, who has built a career at the outermost limits of human endurance — in altitude, distance, and cold. Growing up near Priboj surrounded by mountains, he pursued a career in the Serbian police force and later served in the Special Anti-terrorist Unit (SAJ), which provided both the physical conditioning and psychological architecture for competing in conditions that defeat most others. He is also trained in alpinism, free climbing, parachuting, and wilderness survival. His competitive record is extreme: in 2014 he broke the Serbian national 24-hour road ultra record with 222.221km; in 2016 he won La Ultra – The High, the 333km race through the Himalayas at an average altitude of 4,800 metres; he won the Montane Spine Challenger North in 39:45; and in 2024 he won the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra 300-mile race — a traverse from Whitehorse to Pelly Crossing through the Yukon wilderness at temperatures reaching -50°C — at the third attempt, having recorded DNFs in both previous efforts and lost part of his right thumb to frostbite. His 2024 Yukon victory drew a personal congratulation from Novak Djokovic. Off the trail, Spajić founded Ultra Runner Serbia, a community of more than 2,000 members, and uses his platform to raise awareness of Angelman syndrome, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and other rare diseases.

Notable Wins

• — La Ultra The High 2016 1st (333km Himalayas
• — avg 4
• — 800m altitude)
• — Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra 300mi 2024 1st
• — Montane Spine Challenger North 1st (39:45)
• — Serbian 24h national record 2014 (222.221km)

Race History