Runatolia is one of my favorite runs. There are a few reasons for this. It’s held in early-March, a time when you can truly enjoy Antalya as a city. It’s a great way to spend two days in Antalya, away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Another reason is that it offers a great environment where I can connect with our fellow NGOs at Adım Adım and everyone else who uses this platform. Everyone usually stays in the same hotel and surrounding area. Spending two days with wonderful people who radiate positive energy is truly beneficial for me. If I’m feeling down, it lifts my spirits; if I’m feeling good, I’m even more energized. This is how Serhan’s true potential shines. Another reason is that Runatolia is well-organized compared to other runs in Türkiye. The course is comfortable. You have fun before and after the run, and you can finish the course comfortably while enjoying it during the run. You always leave with fond memories. Each time I return, there are different memories and joys. Consequently, I can’t wait to return to Antalya.
This time, I came to Antalya from Izmir. I arrived a little early because I had some meetings last Friday. After the successful meetings, I dropped by the Terracity Mall, as usual, to pick up my running kit. This mall holds a special place in my heart. If I remember correctly, we opened the first KFC in the southern provinces in this mall back in the summer of 2011. We opened with Pascal Nouma, who had already solidified his popularity with Survivor at the time. Oh my goodness! I can’t forget that crowd.
The advertising campaign we did with Pascal Nouma at the time:
At the time, I was CEO of KFC and Pizza Hut, and after restructuring them, we achieved significant growth. We opened 25 restaurants in six months. We were so fast that, including demolitions, we were able to open a KFC restaurant with a kitchen “like a small factory” in just 13 days. Furthermore, we achieved this growth by managing our cash flow without taking capital from the parent company or securing a bank loan. It’s one of the periods I’m proud of. I’ll write a detailed article about this later.
Now, let’s talk about the opening in Antalya. There was a huge crowd at the opening. There were two types of crowds: one who had been eagerly awaiting KFC in Antalya, and the other, Nouma fans. Just before the opening, there was a strange atmosphere, with people crushing each other, shouting, and screaming. The atmosphere escalated into frenzy when Pascal stepped behind one of the cash registers and said, “I can take your orders.” I remember barely making it to the restaurant side of the room because of the crowd. I also remember that after a successful opening, the kitchen didn’t have enough product to meet demand, so we brought in reinforcements. Here’s a news report about the opening in Antalya and two photos from that moment:
At Terracity, I had to go through the food court on my way up to the rooftop to pick up my kits. I thought about this as I looked at the KFC we’d just opened. Man, those were the days. Picking up my gear on a Friday is always a plus. I completed all the elements of my kit in three separate sections in just five minutes, without any lines. The bag they provided this year was meticulously crafted. I congratulate the organizers for their commitment to quality.
Afterward, I spent some time with TİDER’s General Manager, Pınar Hanım, and had a snack. Then I returned to the hotel, where I worked until late. I had dinner at a nearby grill with the rest of TİDER’s professionals and volunteers.
After dinner, we took a selfie in front of the Adım Adım board.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, I wrote an article and shared it on the Adım Adım platform. I’d like to share it with you:
Dear Adım Adım Friends,
Last year’s Runatolia experience left an indelible memory. It was wonderful in every way.
This year, we’re in Antalya again. While continuing the campaign we launched with great enthusiasm with our volunteers and supporters at Runatolia in 2018, we also want to initiate NGO solidarity.
I’d like to expand on this topic. TİDER has two main visions:
- Preventing waste
- Enabling those in need to stand on their own two feet
I would like to share with you our vision for preventing waste below:
Let me explain what we do to help those in need become self-sufficient: We meet their basic needs through food banks, provide them with vocational training, and help them find employment. Is this enough? Of course not.
We must provide much more than we do to help families thrive. This can only be achieved through NGO solidarity. For example, we want to refer someone in need who has a family member with ALS to the ALS-MNH Association.
We plan to expand this model, which prevents waste and fosters family development, throughout Türkiye.
We’d like to launch our NGO solidarity campaign in Antalya with our fellow NGO members on the Adım Adım platform. We welcome all Adım Adım members to our stand in the ballroom. We’ll be there to speak with you today and tomorrow.
On this occasion, we wish all the NGOs in the Adım Adım family a successful campaign season.
Stay with love and health,
H. Serhan Süzer
Fouınding Chairman, Basic Needs Association
T : +90 216 709 0880
After breakfast, we went up to the ballroom floor, where all the NGOs had set up stands, and completed our preparations. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., we welcomed our volunteers, gave them their t-shirts, explained TİDER to the newcomers, and met with all the other NGO reps present in the ballroom. We initiated the NGO solidarity initiative I mentioned above. It was a very productive day for us. Of course, we need to follow up on our conversations with NGOs and build this connection going forward. We will continue to do our best to achieve this. Here are the photos we took with TEGV and ALİKEV, both of whom are working in the education field:
The burden on the social assistance system is very heavy. We need to work shoulder to shoulder in coordination with the public, private sectors, and other NGOs to achieve results. There’s a lot of work to be done.
After spending a wonderful time with wonderful people, at 4 p.m., they invited everyone to the hotel garden for a photo shoot. The following images emerged.
The main program then began at 6 p.m. The founders and executives of Adım Adım gave a wonderful presentation. The energy was at its peak. Tayyar, one of Adım Adım’s symbols, personally felt a pang of sadness when he handed over his hand. However, a change of flag is essential for NGOs and for ensuring the continuity of these efforts. I wish him happiness in life.
Afterward, we went to Nejat Balıkçı’s near the hotel with TİDER professionals and volunteers. The owner, Mr. Nejat, who migrated from Nişantaşı, Istanbul, to Antalya, prepared truly excellent mezes and seafood, accompanied by a two-person Turkish folk music group. I’d like to share a photo from the evening.
After waking up at 6 a.m. and completing my final preparations for the run, I went down to breakfast. As usual, the breakfast hall was practically empty. We struggled to find a table amidst the crowd and enjoyed our breakfast. Around 7:30 a.m., we went to the lobby and posed for photos with the Eczacıbaşı employees who were running for us on a corporate basis. The image below emerged.
Afterward, we boarded the bus and headed on our way. However, we couldn’t leave the hotel because a car had parked in the bus lane, and we waited 20 minutes for the owner. Afterwards, with permission from the hotel management, we made our way across the sidewalk and grass, bypassing the obstacles.
As always, the area we arrived in was filled with a festive atmosphere. We planted our flag in the area and spent time with all the volunteers, warmed up, and waited for the start, having fun. You can see some of the photos we took together below.
My 10 km run started at 9:40. As always, we were able to start the race 5 minutes after the crowds had started. Frankly, my goal was to finish the race healthy.
I broke my foot last year, and I’m scheduled for hernia surgery in April, so I’m out of training. Despite all this, I managed to finish the 10 K in 55 minutes. Not bad. So, the infrastructure is in place. I plan to start regular training starting in May. Here’s a video of what I did when I saw the TİDER members as I approached the finish line (of course, you’ll see me running with a heart-shaped balloon tied to my arm throughout the race, as a joke):
After the race, we reconvened at the same spot we’d been at before the start. Pictures were taken, memories were shared. Here are some of the photos:
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel in our rental car. After showering, getting ready, and packing, I checked out. Afterward, I enjoyed the köfte bread my friends had bought for me at the köfte party. Immediately afterward, I met up with my military friend Ozan, a regular Antalya tradition. We went to a nearby tapas restaurant and had a drink.
After returning to the hotel, Pınar and I worked out for an hour and a half. Afterward, we all left the hotel and headed to the airport. By now, fatigue was setting in. Almost everyone on the plane was running. We chatted and headed to Istanbul.
This organization and our work have a purpose, of course. We’re raising funds for TİDER. It’s the last 10 days for donations on Runatolia. I’m asking for your support in our efforts to prevent waste and fight poverty.
To donate, simply visit https://ipk.adimadim.org/kampanya/CC28367.
Thank you in advance for your donations. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all our supporters who launched campaigns and made donations on Runatolia. You’ve already made a significant contribution to TİDER. Below, you can find the names of those who launched campaigns and received the most donations and donors. We consider them TİDER’s Stars.
I invite those who can’t donate to volunteer. The burden is very heavy. Everyone needs to shoulder it.
Finally, since I’m posting this article on 8 March, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all women a Happy Working Women’s Day. At our association, the board of directors, professionals, and volunteers are overwhelmingly women. As a man, I must admit this: Women are more sensitive to social issues and absolutely want to do something. But do we appreciate our women?
The video below offers a more in-depth analysis of this topic.
And of course, it’s women who raise legendary figures who are of great value to us. In recognition of this, I’d like to share the image below.
Finally, I would like to share with you the interview we conducted in Şamdan with another woman, Hande Tibuk, to whom I handed over the chairmanship of the board at the end of last year.
In essence, men and women complement each other, and we have much work to do. We can only overcome social problems together.
Stay well.
Tag: special days
