GTYU’s 35th traditional cross-country race held with great enthusiasm
The 35th Traditional Cross-Country Race organized by the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union (GTYU) took place on Sunday, June 15, with broad participation and high spirits. The annual event was held at the scenic Kartalkaya area near Semetli village in the Rhodope region.
Held in a warm, friendly, and nature-rich environment, the race saw fierce competition among participants across various age categories. Registrations were accepted on-site as in previous years, and around 160 individuals took part in the races. Winners in each category received awards and gifts provided by Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union management and sponsors.
In addition to the races, GTYU’s folk dance troupe delivered an enjoyable performance, adding a cultural touch to the day. Attendees were served refreshments including cold sandwiches, fruit juice, and water.
This year’s event attracted not only hundreds of local community members but also a large number of dignitaries and representatives from civil society organizations.
Notable attendees included Deputy Mufti of Komotini Fehim Ahmet, FEP Party Vice President Metin Hacıosman, Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat, Komotini Deputy Mayor Mesut Mehmet Mehmet, Yassıköy Deputy Mayor Müjdat Karahasan, Kozlukebir Mayor Erdem Hüseyin, Council Member Ali Kırmıcı, GTYU President Sedat Hasan, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Union Aydın Ahmet, President of the Western Thrace Culture and Education Company Hüseyin Bostancı and Vice President of the Association of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Ali Alioğlu.
WINNERS OF THE 35th GTGB TRADITIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY RACE
Junior Girls
1st – Serra Mehmet
2nd – Hilal İsmail
3rd – Asel Pergen Arif
Mini Girls
1st – Melin Reşit
2nd – Rüya Süleyman
3rd – Zeynep Karapancar
Star Girls
1st – Ecrin Ahmet
2nd – Serra Sultan Mecid
3rd – Eylem Ali
Young Girls
1st – Erva Sırtmaç
2nd – Yağmur Naz Mecit
3rd – Gözde Ahmet
Adult Girls
1st – Şeyda Ayaz
2nd – Edanur İnce
3rd – Esma Kartal
Young Women
1st – Emine Arif
2nd – Ayşen Hoca Hasan
3rd – Tuğba Konak
Junior Boys
1st – Bora Mehmet
2nd – Koray Nuri
3rd – Ömer Nazifoğlu
Mini Boys
1st – Emre Deli Bekir
2nd – İhsan Kurt Hüseyin
3rd – Efe Mustafa
Star Boys
1st – Ardahan Hacı Ahmet
2nd – Ahmet Kuru
3rd – Ali Ali
Young Boys
1st – Mehmet Mustafa
2nd – Taha Ahmet
3rd – Ali Nuri
Adult Men
1st – İrfan Hacıoğlu
2nd – Mehmet Hüseyin
3rd – Emray Mustafa
Young Gentlemen
1st – Özgür Kaplan
2nd – Mehmet Ahmet
3rd – Cüneyt Sırtmaç
The GTYU continues to foster community spirit and promote healthy living through such meaningful traditional events, now a staple of the region’s social calendar.
