Beyond the Finish Line – Runners4All & Fit4Green Conference
The Beyond the Finish Line Conference, held on October 18 at Stozice Sports Hall in Ljubljana, brought together students, educators, and sports leaders from across Europe to explore how running can drive sustainability, inclusion, and long-term change.
The joint conference gathered over 100 participants, connecting the results of two projects, Fit4Green and Runners4All, both co-funded by the European Union, highlighting their shared mission of encouraging healthy and environmentally conscious lifestyles through sport.
The event began with a lively group warm-up and photo session, setting the tone for an afternoon full of connection and inspiration.
The official opening featured greetings from the Deputy Mayor of the City of Ljubljana, Dejan Crnek, Ales Solar, Operational Manager of the Runners4All project, and Secretary General of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), Matjaz Pecovnik, representing the main institutions that developed the Runners4All project, all highlighting the power of sport to unite communities and spark innovation.
The European Students Run – Runners4All project provided 1922 students the opportunity to take part in the inaugural edition of this run, held as part of the 29th edition of the Ljubljana Marathon. Student representatives from the project partner organisations had the opportunity to attend the conference the day before participating in the run the following day.
In the first part of the conference, moderated by Andreas Csonka, EUSA Executive Committee Member, called “EU Projects as Launchpads for Change,” the speakers showcased how European initiatives can turn athletic events into movements for social good.
Ales Solar, Operational Manager of the Runners4All project, presented Runners4All, offering first insights into the project’s early impact and the future of local initiatives. He emphasised how the European Student Run connected young people across borders while fostering a lasting culture of wellbeing. He also highlighted the project’s broader goals of encouraging regular physical activity, inclusivity in sports, and environmental awareness, demonstrating how these initiatives create positive, long-term impacts on both participants and communities.
Andrej Pisl, EUSA Projects and Policy Director, introduced the Fit4Green project, urging universities to integrate sustainability into the core of their sports programs, not merely as an added feature, but as a fundamental value. He emphasized the project’s wider objectives of promoting eco-friendly practices, raising environmental awareness among students, and inspiring a lasting culture of sustainable sports across campuses. In addition, Orsola Tolnay shared insights from the project, including key milestones and practical experiences.
The next session highlighted a series of inspiring grassroots stories that have grown into movements with a truly continental reach.
Ivanka Stritar from the University of Ljubljana, as one of the Fit4Green project partners, opened the segment with the story of the Faculty Run in Ljubljana, a creative initiative that encouraged students to quite literally “run campus to campus,” transforming an ordinary fitness activity into a symbol of unity and shared energy. What began as a small local event quickly evolved into a community tradition, bringing students, teachers, and staff together in motion, proving that sport can bridge not only distances but also generations and disciplines.
Following that, Marianna Pikul from the University Sports Association of Poland presented the remarkable evolution of the Cooper Test, a once-standard endurance assessment that students reimagined into a lively, student-led fitness movement. Through collaboration and leadership, the test became a celebration of participation and empowerment rather than competition, showing how simple formats can foster large-scale engagement when students take ownership.
The session concluded with Lorenz Ursprung from Swiss University Sports, who marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic SOLA Relay. With over 15,000 runners taking part annually, the event has become a living testament to endurance, teamwork, and community spirit, an example of how consistent passion and strong organization can sustain an initiative for half a century while continuously inspiring new generations to join the run.
The Student Voices Roundtable, moderated by Markus Schneider former EUSA European Solidarity Corps volunteer, emerged as the true highlight of the day, presenting a dynamic and heartfelt exchange that captured the spirit of the next generation of European runners and leaders.
Gathering passionate students from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia, the discussion went far beyond sport itself, touching on themes of belonging, empowerment, and responsibility. Each participant brought a unique national perspective, yet their shared vision was clear: running can be more than a physical pursuit as it can serve as a catalyst for deeper engagement, community ownership, and sustainable development. The roundtable echoed a common belief that when young people take the lead, the values built through sport - teamwork, resilience, and respect - can ripple outward into campuses, cities, and wider society. With honesty and enthusiasm, the students reminded everyone that the true finish line lies not in the race itself, but in how its lessons shape the world beyond the track.
The conference was then closed with final remarks reflecting on future commitments and goals, particularly focusing on how to expand and evolve Runners4All across Europe. Young participants shared their enthusiasm for continuing to engage in cross-border runs, organizing local events, and promoting a culture of well-being among their peers.
They also expressed interest in taking on ambassadorial roles to inspire other students, foster inclusivity in sports, and contribute to a lasting network of healthy, active communities across the continent.