Protesting Serbian students launch ultramarathon from Novi Sad to Brussels

A group of 21 Serbian students embarked on a symbolic relay ultramarathon from Novi Sad to Brussels on Friday, running through six countries to demand democratic reforms and accountability from Serbian authorities.

The 1,933-kilometre journey, set to conclude at the European Parliament by May 12, 2025, underscores the students’ ongoing protests against perceived government corruption, media censorship, and electoral irregularities in Serbia, a European Union candidate country since 2012.

The ultramarathon began with a poignant tribute at Novi Sad’s railway station, where participants and supporters observed a 16-minute silence and laid flowers to honour the victims of the 2021 station roof collapse, a tragedy that killed 16 people and sparked nationwide outrage over government negligence. Among the runners are students from Belgrade who paused their blockade of the state broadcaster RTS to join the effort, reflecting a broader youth-led movement that has gained momentum since the December 2024 protests following disputed municipal elections.

Lara Tomin, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, articulated the group’s mission before the race: “We are running for Serbia to fulfil our demands for justice and change.” She expressed hope that European institutions would amplify their calls for transparency and democratic accountability, stating, “We are grateful they’ve listened, but we believe things must improve, and that’s why we’re heading to Brussels.”

Tomin emphasised the group’s resilience, noting that all runners are active athletes prepared for the physical and logistical challenges ahead. “There may be obstacles, but together we are unstoppable,” she added.

The 21 participants- five women and 16 men- wear T-shirts emblazoned with “Nobel winners run the lap of honour,” a nod to Serbia’s scientific potential and a critique of the government’s neglect of education and innovation. The relay format divides the runners into four groups, each covering 20-kilometre stages through Croatia, Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Today’s leg will conclude in Osijek, Croatia, marking the first step in a journey that symbolises both endurance and defiance.

The ultramarathon is the latest episode in Serbia’s student-led protests, which erupted in November 2024 after the Novi Sad railway tragedy and intensified following allegations of vote-rigging in December’s local elections. Students, alongside opposition groups, have accused President Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of manipulating electoral rolls and controlling media narratives, particularly through RTS, to maintain power. The protests, centred in Belgrade and Novi Sad, have included blockades, sit-ins, and hunger strikes, with demands for independent investigations into the station collapse, electoral reforms, and media freedom.

Serbia’s EU candidacy, ongoing since 2013, adds international stakes to the students’ journey. Despite progress in aligning with EU standards, Serbia faces criticism from Brussels for democratic backsliding, including judicial interference and press restrictions. The European Parliament has previously called for sanctions on Serbian officials linked to electoral fraud, and students hope their run will pressure EU leaders to hold Vučić’s government accountable.

The railway station collapse remains a galvanising issue. A 2024 investigation revealed shoddy construction linked to politically connected contractors, fueling perceptions of systemic corruption. The students’ tribute at the site underscores their demand for justice for the victims and an end to cronyism.