Created: 2025.09.16. 14:39
Széchenyi István University is offering a unique opportunity to its students: from the semester starting in September, regular participation in the “Uni Győr Joy Run” can substitute the requirements of the Physical Education course. This free sports programme supports both academic progress and the development of an active, healthy lifestyle.
In 2023, Széchenyi István University launched the unconventional sports event series called “Uni Győr Joy Run”, which takes place all year round, starting every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. from the University Sports Park. Participants can choose between a 5- or 10-kilometre run, a 5 kilometre walk or a 20-kilometre cycling route. The courses lead through Püspökerdő (“The Bishop’s Forest”) and along the riverbanks, offering a safe environment, rich in natural beauty. Over the past two years, more than two thousand people have registered for the event, with successful completions exceeding thirteen thousand. The series has become the city’s largest mass sporting event, attracting on average 200–300 participants to the starting line each week.
The “Joy Run” is not only a recreational sporting activity but also a valuable academic opportunity: students can use it to fulfil the requirements of the Physical Education course. In the autumn semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, participation can be credited towards the TS03 (endurance) and TS04 (sports knowledge) courses. Students need to complete a total of six sessions without a time limit: the 10 kilometre run counts as two sessions, while the others count as one. For TS04, not only physical activity but also voluntary organisational assistance is accepted: helping with the event on a Saturday counts as three Physical Education attendances. The requirements can be met until the end of the semester.
.webp "Hundreds of people regularly run on Saturdays as part of the Joy Run. (Photo: Uni Győr Joy Run)")
Hundreds of people regularly run on Saturdays as part of the Joy Run. (Photo: Uni Győr Joy Run)
“We have found that many students engage in the programme long term. The loyalty reward system helps with this, encouraging regular participation – some have already taken part more than twenty times. The field is diverse, with many international students, for whom the Saturday morning time slot is particularly convenient. It is important that if someone once finishes within the set time limit – 28 minutes 30 seconds for five kilometres, and 59 minutes 30 seconds for ten kilometres – they are considered to have met the semester’s requirement, as such results can only be achieved through regular exercise,” emphasised Dr Ákos Horváth, project leader.
To take part, students must enrol in the “Acceptance” course in Neptun and complete a one-time registration at www.oromfutas-gyor.hu/nevezes. Those who wish to participate in the cycling route must select the walking option on the registration platform. Before their first start, students must provide their Neptun code when collecting their race number, so that organisers can record and automatically forward their performance to the Department of Physical Education.
According to the students we interviewed, the “Joy Run” is a real alternative for completing Physical Education. They highlighted not only the academic benefits but also the tangible improvements brought about by regular participation.
Alexandra Samu, a second-year Commerce and Marketing student from Székesfehérvár, was looking for a programme in Győr that offered both a community experience and the opportunity to exercise. “The ‘Joy Run’ was perfect for this, which is why I chose it to complete my Physical Education requirement. Since then, I have been regularly participating in the Saturday runs, and my endurance has improved greatly,” she said.
For Richárd Szőke, a second-year student of the Special Education programme, this proved to be a good choice because he could combine his enthusiasm for sport with his academic obligations. “I enjoy running in my free time too, so I could link completing Physical Education with something I truly love. Moreover, thanks to the feedback I receive on my results, I can clearly track my progress, which makes this much more motivating for me,” he noted. “As I don’t live in Győr, after completing the compulsory sessions I attended less frequently, but I still really enjoyed the programme and recommend it to everyone who likes to exercise.”
