The first-ever Balkan Friendship Run, held in İzmir, concluded with great enthusiasm and nearly one thousand participants. The 10 kilometer race started at Gündoğdu Square with the signal given by the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Dr. Cemil Tugay and protocol members. While Özlem Özgün won the women’s category, Mert Derin finished first in the men’s race.

Organized by the Kosovo Rumelia Culture, Art and Tourism Association, the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, and Ata Yahşi Sports Club, with the support from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İzmir Chamber of Commerce, the event created a vibrant atmosphere in the city. Nearly 1,000 runners participated despite cold and rainy conditions and the gathering of Balkan people delivered strong messages of unity and solidarity. Among the attendees were Mayor Cemil Tugay, Blerim Gashani, Kosovo’s Minister of Youth and Sports; Muharrem Kasapoğlu, former Minister of Youth and Sports and Murat Eskici, İzmir Provincial Director of Youth and Sports. Accompanied by Balkan music, protocol officials gave the start signal of the race. Participants followed a coastal route from Gündoğdu Square to Karantina Square and back.

“Our citizens of Balkan origin helped lay the foundations of our Republic”
Speaking ahead of the race, Mayor Tugay said: “In our İzmir, the heart of the Aegean, we are gathered to celebrate a deep-rooted and enduring friendship through the first Balkan Friendship Run. Along this route stretching from Gündoğdu Square to Karantina, we are uniting not only our steps but also our history, culture, and shared future. İzmir is not merely an Aegean city, it is the strongest voice of the Balkans in the Mediterranean and Anatolia. The spirit of the Balkans can be felt in our streets, in our cuisine, and most vividly in the eyes of our people. Our fellow citizens of Balkan origin, living in our city are one of the most important contributions to its social and cultural fabric. Let us not forget that they played a vital role in the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. The greatest of our compatriots, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whom we are proud to consider our own, was a world leader with roots in the Balkans, shaped the vision of this country. With his legacy, İzmir today stands as a stronghold of the Balkans’ free voice and democratic values.”

“We are always ready for technical cooperation”
Emphasizing that the Balkans represent not only a geography but also a shared destiny and a strong bond, Mayor Tugay noted the presence of Blerim Gashani, Kosovo’s Minister of Youth and Sports, and continued: “I extend my greetings to Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe. Türkiye takes pride in being among the first countries to recognize Kosovo, which declared its independence in 2008. As I also stated during my meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti in previous years, I consider myself a voluntary goodwill ambassador for Kosovo. We are determined to strengthen this friendship not only sociall but also economically and through sports. I would especially like to underline that Pristina’s hosting of the 2030 Mediterranean Games is a great source of pride for us. Having hosted the Games in 1971, İzmir stands ready to support Kosovo throughout its journey with its organizational experience.

“Friendship will grow stronger”
Blerim Gashani, Kosovo’s Minister of Youth and Sports, said: “Today, I am here to stand for the enduring friendship and brotherhood between our two countries. We are in a city whose spirit has brought people together throughout history. The Mediterranean Games were held here in 1971. This race will also become a tradition here and I hope that it will build a bridge between continents. The energy created by our athletes will warm us all. Kosovo and Türkiye are not just two partner countries, but two friendly nations that understand each other at a glance. We draw our strength from our historical roots and grow stronger every day. Being together today adds a new meaning to our friendship. Wherever there is sport, the friendship between Kosovo and Türkiye will continue to strengthen. I would like to thank İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for the warm welcome. Securing a commitment to cooperation is very important. Kosovo, as the youngest country in Europe, will continue working to further strengthen its relations with Türkiye not only emotionally but also in every aspect. I wish all athletes success.”

Top finishers awarded
Uğur Şengöz, Chairman of the Board of the Kosovo Rumelia Culture, Art and Tourism Association, presented a plaque of appreciation to Mayor Cemil Tugay for his support. Awards were presented to the athletes who successfully completed the 10 kilometer course. In the overall standings, Özlem Özgün finished first in the women’s category, followed by Gülsen Çerçi in second place and Özlem Işık in third. In the men’s category, Mert Derin took first place, Mertcan Koşar came second, and Enes Kurt finished third. Athletes who placed in various age categories were also awarded.

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