A Thursday for Balša: a city with heart and 230,000 RSD raised

When we started 36Soma, we talked about pace, Garmin watches, routes through the city, and getting Kraljevo moving. But deep down we knew the club couldn't stay just a group chasing kilometres and medals — running had to mean something more. It all came true on one warm May Thursday, when the whole town stood behind our charity run.

"A Thursday for Balša" reminded us why we're here and what it means when a city sticks together.

So many of us the terrace got crowded

The plan was simple: a charity run, an open invite to anyone who wanted to help, our usual 5 kilometres — running or walking — and a donation box for Balša's treatment. We hoped for a good turnout, but what happened that evening went beyond everything.

By 18:45, our spot at City Terrace was filling up. And it wasn't just runners in expensive gear. Parents with strollers, grandparents, neighbours in everyday trainers, people who hadn't run in years but felt they had to be there. The start was colourful, loud, and full of good energy. Nobody watched the clock that evening. Nobody asked about pace. All that mattered was being there for each other.

Five kilometres of pure support

When we set off, a river of people flowed through Kraljevo. The most beautiful loop we've ever run. We weren't chasing personal records — we ran so Balša would know he's not alone in his fight. The fast ones slowed down, the ones who planned to walk picked up their step, and the cheering carried along the whole route.

Passers-by stopped, drivers honked — Kraljevo breathed as one that evening. When you see hundreds of people moving toward the same goal, everything from our manifesto clicks into place: no ego, good people over fast splits.

The number that says it all: 230,000 RSD

When we closed the loop and got back to the start, the moment of truth came. We opened the box and counted. The result? 230,000 dinars in a single evening — from the heart, from people who came to help.

The money went straight to Balša's treatment, but what stayed behind that evening — in the crew and across the city — can't be measured. 36Soma isn't just a running club: we're a crew that can move the whole city when it matters most. Thank you to everyone who laced up, dropped a donation, walked with us, or simply shared the story. We showed what it means to run with heart.