Ultramarathon runners from Vukovar arrived in Potočari: We carry messages of truth, but also messages of peace

(Patria) - Participants of the 14th Vukovar - Srebrenica 2025 Ultramarathon arrived today at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari. They ran 227 kilometers in five stages to pay their respects to the victims of the July 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. They started the 227-kilometer journey on Sunday, July 6.

Dražen Čurčić, who is running this marathon for the 12th time, said that their message, unfortunately, is the same all these years, and that is a message of peace, coexistence, and tolerance.

"Why unfortunately? We all know what happened 30 years ago in Potočari, and we will carry that message of peace from year to year. This ultramarathon is run for all those who were innocently killed in these areas, regardless of nationality. The message is the same: Coexistence, tolerance, equality for all," said Čurčić.

Miroslav Dudić Lovrić, who is originally from Brčko and lives in Vienna, says that of the numerous marathons he runs, this one is perhaps physically the easiest, but emotionally the hardest.

"But it is still my favorite, because it carries the strongest message, which is peace, harmony, an attempt at forgiveness... It's not easy, you have to love, desire, want... that would be my message," said this ultramarathoner.

Mirsad Softić, a sports professor from the First Gymnasium in Zenica, one of the ultramarathoners, said that it is a multi-ethnic team.

"We run these races and carry messages of peace and ask that everyone be allowed to live in peace," said Softić.