GENÇFEST’26 was held at Hacettepe University as part of the 19 May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day. Featuring a full day of music and stage performances, stadium events, street games and a wide range of programmes, GENÇFEST’26 kicked off with the second annual Youth Run. The race, in which over 1,700 participants took part, was started by our university’s Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr Necla Özer.
“Youth is the courage to hope and the ability to dream”
Prior to the Youth Run, Prof. Dr Necla Özer, Vice-Rector of Hacettepe University, delivered the opening address. In her speech, Prof. Dr Özer, celebrating 19 May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day, said the following:
“Today is 19 May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day. It is a very special day on which the will to rebuild a nation has been entrusted to the youth. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s words, ‘My sole hope lies in the youth’, are not merely a wish, but an expression of a vision, a future and a sense of trust. The spirit of 19 May is, in fact, somewhat like this: the future of a country being entrusted to the youth.”
Continuing her speech with the words, “This is not merely an emphasis on youth. It is a trust in courage, the desire for innovation, and the will to shape the future, because youth is not just about age, but a mental vitality,” Prof. Dr. Özer added, “Today we will run, walk, listen to music, and dance. Because life is not just about exams, grades and busy schedules,” he said. Prof. Dr. Necla Özer offered the following advice to the participants:
“Appreciate the value of friendship, of creating, of being together and of being young. Because youth is not just a matter of age; it is the courage to hope and the ability to dream. Please let us not forget this.”
The winners received their trophies and prizes
The Second Youth Run took place this year on a 5,600-metre course. In the men’s category, the fastest time was 19 minutes and 16 seconds; in the women’s category, the fastest time was 24 minutes and 7 seconds. Necati Pekgöz came first in the men’s category. Pekgöz was followed by Omid Noori, who finished in 20 minutes and 7 seconds, whilst Kutay Alpay came third with a time of 20 minutes and 40 seconds.
In the women’s category of the Second Youth Run, Derensu Arıcan took first place. Arıcan was followed by Duru Özel, with a time of 24 minutes and 25 seconds, and Beyza Kaplan, with a time of 24 minutes and 53 seconds, completing the top three.
The award ceremony for the top finishers was conducted by the Vice-Rectors, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Serper, Prof. Dr. Necla Özer and Prof. Dr. Şahap Armağan Tarım.
In addition to their trophies, the prize-winning competitors received membership awards from Hacettepe Athletics and Goril Bey Sports Hall. Throughout the event, participants won various prizes through raffles.
GENÇFEST'26 continued with the 19 May Nature Walk, dance displays and stage performances.
