Students, employees, graduates, and friends of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice successfully crossed the finish line on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Each participant in the UPJŠ RUN also contributed to a collection for the Children’s Faculty Hospital in Košice. This sporting event with a charitable side was organized by Cocktail pace, o. z., in which our students are also involved.
The registered participants faced a five-kilometer routes starting at the East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (VÚSCH), where they were cheered on by Prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD., Rector of UPJŠ and Ing. Jaroslav Polaček, Mayor of Košice. The first year of the UPJŠ RUN event reached its registration limit, with 500 runners signing up to participate. Each competitor received a commemorative UPJŠ medal after crossing the finish line. The athletic performances of the fastest runners were evaluated in several categories.
| Overall ranking, men: 1. Zimmermann, Marián–Jaklovce Sports Club – 14:37 2. Hutka, Dominik – Kubej Team – 15:35 3. Majerský, Filip – Cocktail Pace – 15:41 | UPJŠ employees and students, men: 1. Hutka, Dominik – Kubej Team – 15:35 2. Šperka, Filip – Poprad – 15:52 3. Topoli, Marek – Spišské Vlachy – 16:10 | Graduates and friends, men: 1. Zimmermann, Marián–Jaklovce Spoprt Club – 14:37 2. Majerský, Filip – Cocktail Pace – 15:41 3. Gula, Julián – Cocktail Pace – 16:48 |
| Overall ranking, women: 1. Chovanová, Viktória – Košice – 19:07 2. Ailabouni, Sahar – Košice – 19:19 3. Zajacová, Zuzana – ŠK Tuković – 19:52 | UPJŠ employees and students, women: 1. Ailabouni, Sahar – Košice – 19:19 2. Kočová, Lenka – AK Slávia TU Košice – 19:58 3. Cehuľová, Kristína – Cocktail Pace – 20:13 | UPJŠ graduates and friends, women: 1. Chovanová, Viktória – Košice – 19:07 2. Zajacová, Zuzana – ŠK Tuković – 19:52 3. Horká, Katarína – Rohor – 20:19 |
The winners in each category were awarded prizes by the organizers and sponsors. The evaluation took place in the presence of prominent representatives of the academic community and regional health institutions, who presented a total of 18 prizes to the fastest runners in all categories:
prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD. – Rector of UPJŠ in Košice,
JUDr. Ľudmila Elbert , PhD., University Associate Professor – Vice-Rector for Undergraduate and Lifelong Learning,
Dr. h. c. prof. Mgr. Slávka Tomaščíková, PhD. – Vice-Rector for International Relations,
MUDr. Štefan Lukačín, PhD., MHA – Chairman of the Board and CEO of the East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (VÚSCH),
MUDr. Andrej Koman, MBA – Director of the Children’s University Hospital in Košice,
JUDr. Lukáš Michaľov, PhD. – Assistant Professor at the Department of Criminal Law, Faculty of Law, UPJŠ, and Vice-Chairman of Cocktail pace, o. z.
„I consider the most beautiful moment of the event to be that the students, employees of our university, and all participants were able to join forces and support not only their health and active lifestyle but also help where it is needed. I am proud that we have such versatile students at UPJŠ,” said Rector prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD.
Health and prevention were the main topics in the finish zone
L. Pasteur University Hospital in Košice provided preventive measurements of abdominal fat, BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, oxymeter, and dynamometer. These health-promoting measurements were provided by medical staff from the Institute of Sports Medicine. Proper oral hygiene practices were presented by members of the Slovak Association of Dental Students. The Košice Medical Students’ Association provided information on the importance of testicular and breast cancer prevention. Its members taught interested participants the proper principles of first aid.
“We are very pleased that a strong community of Slovak and foreign students, alumni, and friends of UPJŠ is gradually forming. I believe that we have succeeded in creating a tradition of these student events and that we will continue to meet in this way at the beginning and end of each academic year,” said Vice-Rector Ľudmila Elbert, who initiated many meetings with students and representatives of student associations at UPJŠ, which also led to the implementation of UPJŠ RUN.
The charitable side to the running race
UPJŠ RUN was not only a sporting event, but above all an act of solidarity and selfless help. “We created a group of young people who enjoy sports and wanted to combine it with a good cause. I firmly believe that the funds we collected from the entry fees and voluntary contributions will be used for a good cause,” said Pavol Kopaničák, chairman of Cocktail pace, o. z. and a student at the UPJŠ Faculty of Law. All proceeds from the entry fees will be donated to the Children’s University Hospital in Košice, which is also a teaching facility of the UPJŠ Faculty of Medicine. The public could also contribute on the day of the race by donating drawing and painting supplies, toys, board games, or financial donations. Thanks to the organization of the running race and the voluntary collection, almost €3,435 and three large boxes of toys, games, and creative supplies for children were collected for the hospital.
“At the hospital, we live for the children and work for them every day. The funds raised will help us prepare an unforgettable Christmas and other activities for them. Just as the race participants crossed the finish line today with smiles on their faces, we will be able to put smiles on the faces of our patients through this collection,” said Andrej Koman, MD, MBA, director of DFN Košice, thanking those present during the race’s awards ceremony. The contribution will be presented by representatives of Cocktail pace, o. z. next week.
We warmly congratulate not only the winners, but everyone who successfully crossed the finish line. We thank the organizers and look forward to next year’s race.
