A group of student ultramarathoners running from Serbia to Brussels arrived in Osijek, where they were greeted with a warm and festive reception under the slogan “ONE WORLD, ONE STRUGGLE.”
Citizens gathered at Vatroslav Lisinski Square to cheer on the students with chants of “Pumpaj!” while offering food and drinks. Joining the welcome were fellow students from the Osijek-based initiative “Student for Student.”
A red ribbon was stretched across the square for the student runners to cross as they completed the day’s route — the first 105 kilometers of their demanding journey.
Supporters held banners reading:
- “Pumpaj”
- “One World, One Struggle”
- “Students from Subotica in Osijek”
- “We Don’t Stand Aside, We Stand With You”
- “Solidarity Has No Borders”
Each student received a medal inscribed with “Student for Student Osijek 2025.”
Uroš Obradović, a law student from the University of Belgrade, shared his experience with N1:
“It’s hard to put into words. It was tough, but when you get a welcome like this, nothing feels hard for a goal like this.”
Prepared for all conditions, the runners brought rain gear, expecting bad weather. Still, spirits remained high.
“No one’s tired… We’re just happy we made it, and we’re getting ready to continue,” said another student marathoner.
Accommodation for the night was arranged with the help of local citizens — some students will stay in hostels, while others have been offered housing by Osijek residents.
The students are on an 18-day journey to Brussels, where the European Parliament will soon hold a session addressing, among other topics, the current situation in Serbia.
Want a quick map of their full route to Brussels?
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Source: N1, Foto: N1