"Running for peace, for the reunification of the island, because running is freedom—it was a unique feeling," said Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot runners who participated in the presentation of the mini-documentary "Running for Peace – Birlikte/Mazí" on Tuesday night at Ledra Palace. The event was attended by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, diplomats, and other officials.

On November 23, 2024, approximately 250 runners—Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots from various professional backgrounds—formed the Runite team, a name derived from the words "run" and "unite." They ran from Larnaca to Nicosia and from occupied Kyrenia to Nicosia, meeting at Eleftheria Square. Together, they continued to the Home for Cooperation in the buffer zone, opposite Ledra Palace.

"In Cyprus, a simple race became a powerful symbol of trust and hope," said Stewart, who participated in the route from Kyrenia to Bellapais alongside his son, who was also present at the event.

The documentary captured both running routes, following the participants as they expressed their emotions in real time. The runners passed through villages such as Lympia, where they briefly stopped, and traversed the Pentadaktylos mountains from Bellapais to Dikomo.

Most of the runners have been running together for over five years, emphasizing that "sports transcend barriers." Looking ahead, they expressed hopes of running together from Karpasia to Paphos next year.

Elena Ioannidou, an academic from Larnaca, described the experience: "When you run, your identity is stripped away. It’s just the body and the road." She explained that running united them in 2019, leading to the creation of Runite, a group dedicated to running across the island to connect with both the land and its people.

Over the years, they have run together through cities, villages, mountains, and coastal areas—including Famagusta, Lefka, Nicosia, Larnaca, Troodos, and Pentadaktylos. Each September, they organized a symbolic run through divided Nicosia. Eventually, the idea expanded into full-length routes from Larnaca and Kyrenia—south and north—converging in the heart of the island’s capital.

Ozgur Ozit, a lawyer from occupied Famagusta, said the group was formed around the idea of being "together / birlikte." "We want to send a message: We can do this. In Cyprus, we are one. We don’t want walls; we don’t want barriers. We share a culture, a history, and this beautiful island," he stated. He described Runite not just as a running group, but as a movement.

"We have more in common than what divides us, and with every step, we leave division behind, moving toward a peaceful and united future," he added.

Following the documentary screening, several runners shared their experiences. Paula spoke about how running brings people together, while Michalis, a runner for 45 years, proudly explained how he came up with the name "Runite" and designed the group’s logo. Costas added that what they accomplished could inspire others in different professional fields to unite in similar ways.

Harun emphasized that they sent a strong message: "We want to be together." Stavros echoed this sentiment, saying, "We run to bring Cyprus together."

The documentary’s director, David Hans, thanked everyone involved, stating, "It’s rewarding to work on something that inspires you. Editing this incredible footage was a joy—it was filled with so much positive energy."

The highlight of the evening came when young Marios innocently asked, "Who won the race?" prompting laughter throughout the room. The answer was unanimous: "Cyprus and peace won."

The United Nations in Cyprus supported both the November event and Tuesday’s documentary screening, underscoring the broader significance of initiatives that promote unity on the island.