Before starting this post, I checked how many Runatolia articles I’ve written in total. Since 2016, I’ve written six articles on various themes related to Runatolia. You can find the links to these articles, from oldest to newest, below.
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/sporcunun-zeki-cevik-ve-ahlaklisi
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/sizlerle-yuz-binlere-destek-vermeye-dunyaya-ornek-olmaya-kosuyoruz
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/festival-tadinda-bir-kosu-runatolia-2017
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/300-spartali-degil-22-tiderli
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/antalya-kosusu-runatolia-yine-yeniden
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/runatoliada-insani-degerlerin-hepsi-bir-arada
I thought to myself, “Do I really need to write again?”
Then I told myself, “We experience different things every time we attend this important event of the year, and I’m nourished by different events. I needed to share my experiences at this year’s Runatolia as well, and I set to writing.
As 29 February was the last day of February this year, I was able to finish my meetings in Istanbul for the day and arrive in Antalya on Friday evening. This time, I stayed at the Akra V, just across the street, rather than the Akra Hotel. And I’m so glad we did. The boutique hotel version of the Akra Hotel was much more comfortable in every way.
After having dinner with TİDER’s general manager, Nil Tibukoğlu, and its manager, Özgül Tetik, and discussing the association’s activities, we retired to our rooms. After completing my work in the room, I retired to rest.
Morning workout with old friends
The next day, I joined the Adım Adım run at 7 a.m. This first enjoyable event of the day gave me the chance to see many old friends from the Adım Adım network. This training session was also attended by Kees from the Netherlands, who has trained many trainers in the Adım Adım system, Itır, the founder of Adım Adım, and Emre, one of its senior trainers who ran for TİDER last year. I also got to see our beloved volunteers like Özge, İsmail, and Eda after a long time. We laughed, had fun, and got some good exercise together. Here are some enjoyable photos from the 7 a.m. workout, a classic Adım Adım:
The photo we took during the workout
The photo we took after cooling down after the workout
Afterwards, we went down to the breakfast lounge and had the Akra Hotel’s magnificent breakfast. While I’m not a big fan of the open buffet, the breakfast here is fantastic in terms of variety. For example, they have desserts ranging from date and avocado combos to amazing ginger and lemon detox drinks.
After breakfast, I showered in my room, got ready, and headed to Terra City Shopping Mall to pick up my running kit. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this mall holds a special place in my heart. I opened the KFC in this shopping mall when I was the general manager. When I opened the store with Pascal Nouma, a former Beşiktaş player, there was a huge crowd.
Physiotherapy and yoga
I immediately went to the rooftop, where I knew where the running kit was, and in the rain, I registered and picked up my running kit. Just as I was about to leave, I noticed a physiotherapy booth.
I needed to be in good health because I was pushing a wheelchair 21 K the next day. However, after the 7 a.m. run, when we started stretching, I felt the pain from the heel spur, and my heel continued to hurt that morning.
I immediately explained my situation to one of the young physiotherapists there. He pointed me to one of the therapy beds and asked me to lie down on my chest. He then identified the source of the pain and applied two bandages to the area. Since I have problems with both feet, he performed this procedure on both. Afterward, I put my socks and shoes back on and continued on my way. Frankly, the tapes really helped me during my run the next day. Afterward, I thought to myself, “I’m so glad I did.” I’m even considering going to their Istanbul location for physiotherapy for my heel spurs.
I quickly returned to the hotel. As promised, I attended Gözde’s yoga session, albeit late. Doing yoga the day before the run felt good. Of course, unlike last time, practicing in a larger room with a view was a relief. Last time, we did yoga in a small room, one after the other. This time, the atmosphere was perfect.
Group photo after yoga
A stunning view from our yoga room
After finishing yoga and getting ready, we met up with a Kosovar friend in the hotel lobby and went to the opening ceremony of the TEGV Design and Skills Workshop at the Suna-İnan Kıraç Education Park in Kepez, Antalya. When İpek Hanım, who worked with me for a long time at Süzer Holding and is now with TEGV, and Itır, the founder of Adım Adım, told me about this opening, I felt compelled to attend.
Invitation for this opening
For those unfamiliar with TEGV, let me tell you a little about it. I’ve included an excerpt from its mission and vision on its website. For more information, you can visit their website: https://tegv.org/
TEGV’s Mission:
To support the basic education provided by the state so that primary school-aged children can become well-equipped and qualified individuals who embrace contemporary and universal values and the fundamental principles of the republic.
(To achieve this mission, they have their own buildings in various provinces across Turkey that provide after-school education in the sciences and arts.)
TEGV’s Vision:
To be an NGO accessible to every child in our country through effective and distinctive educational programs and a sustainable structure.
After the official speeches at the ceremony, we went upstairs to attend the official opening of the Design and Skills Workshop. After the ribbon was cut, we went inside and witnessed firsthand how the children develop their skills. Here are some photos from the workshop:
A photo we took at the Design and Skills Workshop
A selfie with Itır, the founder of Adım Adım, and her mother, Kaysu Hanım
I congratulate everyone who contributes to the education of children at TEGV, and I thank them on behalf of my country. After the opening of the Design and Skills Workshop, we went back down to the ground floor and witnessed the children’s wonderful Circassian dance. Because my late grandmother was of Circassian descent, these dances were especially enjoyable. Of course, I also really enjoy the energetic Circassian dances. Here are some pictures and videos from the performance:
After the opening, we returned to the hotel. I went to the booth area, visited the TİDER booth, and then attended the Adım Adım 5-a-side tea event in the foyer. After a pleasant conversation with all the friends I saw there, we attended the Adım Adım Runatolia launch event. I think the joint presentations by Tayyar, nicknamed Minik, and Adım Adım’s president Kıvanç created a wonderful opening. I mention this because everyone present was still feeling the effects of the disaster in Idlib. So, they managed to create an enjoyable event without resorting to a full-blown entertainment format, but instead kept the atmosphere positive.
A photo we took at the event with TİDER’s general manager Nil Hanım and manager Özgül Hanım
21 K start
Afterwards, we all went down to dinner and had dinner with our Adım Adım friends.
The next day, we woke up early and went down to breakfast around 7 a.m. After a hearty breakfast, we gathered in the lobby as the group pushing Deniz’s wheelchair, and we all boarded a minibus to head to the running track. Deniz’s wheelchair team, comprised of these wonderful individuals, consists of Murat Deniz Ersen, Celal Sümer, Savaş Arson, Gamze Erdemir, Tanyar Ablak, Ebru Tüzüner Ağva, Altar Ağva, and Gözde Uysal. Here, I’ll express my feelings with Celal Sümer’s legendary line: How wonderful it is to accompany our beloved Deniz with such wonderful people!
Due to the disaster in Idlib, there was no music or entertainment in Ruanatolia this time either. Nevertheless, people had created a place to exercise together and continue their campaigns for their NGOs. After chatting with many friends and taking pictures, we were ready for the run.
A photo we took as Deniz’s team before the run
A photo we took as TİDER volunteers
Old and new TİDER volunteers together
Deniz’s wheelchair team took our place at the start, and after the 21 km runners started, we took our start to enthusiastic applause.
A photo taken at the start. This wonderful picture was taken by our friend Mehmet Vanlı from Adım Adım
Here’s our video from the start.
We completed the 21 km without any setbacks or injuries. We finished the run in about three hours, chatting pleasantly and taking pictures occasionally. Here are some photos we took during the run:
The finish of this run, which we finished faster than the previous year, was just as magnificent as the start.
After the run, we returned to our hotel and took this final shot:
Afterwards, we went straight to the meatball bread distribution area. After filling our stomachs with meatball bread, we said our goodbyes as a group. Afterward, after returning to my room, completing my preparations, and checking out, my military friend Ozan and his sweet daughter picked me up, and we went for a snack at Big Chefs in Lara. Afterward, we walked along Konyaaltı Beach, chatting pleasantly, and then enjoyed a wonderful kadayıf (a type of shredded wheat with sour cream) at the nearby Adana-based restaurant Özkaymaklı. We stopped by their house last, and then, thankfully, they dropped me off at the airport.
Staying connected to life, despite everything
Ozan, whom I’ve known since my military service in 2000-2001, has two wonderful children. He’s raising his children alone, having lost his wife to cancer a few years ago. He’s one of my friends I truly admire. On one side, there are men who have broken up their families, and on the other, there are devoted fathers like Ozan, who are raising their children alone… Well done.
I observed that the airport was relatively empty compared to previous years. In fact, I attribute the presence of so many people, both in Runatolia and elsewhere in Antalya, even after all the disasters, to people’s desire to remain connected to life, no matter what.
Just when we think it can’t possibly get any worse, we’re constantly experiencing even worse. As if the economic crisis we’re experiencing weren’t enough, we also have the events in Idlib that resulted in the deaths of dozens of our soldiers, the ongoing migrant crisis at the borders, and what I can call the disaster of disasters, the coronavirus crisis, looming. Oh, oh, oh.
That’s why we value events like Runatolia, where we can breathe and remind us of the value of our humanity. Despite all the disasters, life goes on. We keep fighting…
Tag: health
