For 16-year-old Mertcan Noam E., running is about more than endurance, competition or crossing the finish line. The Jewish teenager from Germany has turned his passion for long-distance running into a personal mission to honor the victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks and ensure their stories are not forgotten.
In August 2026, he completed his first major challenge, which he called "PROJECT 67": a run of more than 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Prague to Berlin in less than 80 hours.
(Photo: Mertcan Noam E.)
The journey began in the Czech capital and ended at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, pushing the teenager to his physical and mental limits.
Along the way, he faced exhaustion, pain and moments of doubt when continuing seemed almost impossible. But he kept going, driven by a purpose that extended far beyond the distance itself.
"I started running because I wanted to do something meaningful," he explained. "Something that would go beyond sport, beyond personal achievements, and beyond the finish line."
Mertcan dedicated PROJECT 67 to the Bibas family and to the memory of Jewish individuals and families affected by the October 7 attacks.
As a young Jew growing up in Germany, he wanted to use running to tell their stories and send a message of resilience and remembrance.
"We are here. We remember. And we keep going," he said.
Carrying the Israeli flag throughout the journey was an essential part of that message. For Mertcan, the flag symbolizes his connection to Israel, the Jewish people and his own identity.
He wanted it to be seen, just as he wanted the stories behind his project to be heard.
When he finally reached the Brandenburg Gate, wearing a Batman costume and carrying the Israeli flag, he felt an overwhelming sense of pride.
After everything the journey had demanded of him, reaching Berlin was a moment he says he will never forget. But even then, he knew the project was only the beginning.
Running through Berlin to remember October 7
On October 7, 2026, marking the third anniversary of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel, Mertcan returned to the streets of Berlin for another remembrance run.
This time, he covered 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) through the German capital while carrying an Israeli flag to honor the victims and keep their memory alive.
The route passed through several parts of the city before ending once again at the Brandenburg Gate.
The flag displayed the words "Running for Remembrance," "October 7," "Never Again," "Never Forget" and "Forever."
For the teenager, each phrase represents the purpose behind the run: remembering those whose lives were taken and refusing to allow their stories to fade with time.
The run was accompanied by police for safety reasons, a precaution Mertcan says reflects the challenges of publicly commemorating the victims while displaying Jewish and Israeli symbols.
He expressed sadness that a peaceful act of remembrance required police protection. According to Mertcan, hostile reactions and hateful comments posted online afterward reinforced the importance of those security measures.
Nevertheless, he believes remembering the victims should be possible peacefully and without intimidation.
'I run for those who can no longer run'
For Mertcan, the two projects have reinforced his belief that running can serve a purpose far greater than athletic achievement.
Every kilometer, he says, can carry a message. Every step can help tell a story, and every finish line can become the starting point for another initiative.
He is already planning future projects and more ambitious endurance challenges, hoping to connect them to Jewish history, remembrance and the personal stories of people whose lives and experiences deserve to be remembered.
Another goal is to inspire other young people to take action on causes that matter to them, regardless of their age.
Mertcan believes that being 16 should not prevent him, or other teenagers, from making a meaningful contribution.
He acknowledges that there is still a long road ahead, with greater distances to cover, more stories to tell and new projects yet to begin.
But he is clear that his motivation is not personal recognition.
"I am here to write history, not for personal recognition, but by using what I love to keep important stories alive," he said.
PROJECT 67 marked his first major step, while his October 7 run through Berlin became another milestone in a mission he intends to continue.
"More projects. More stories. More steps," he said.
"I run for those who can no longer run themselves. I run so that we remember. And I will keep running."
His message ends with three words: "Am Yisrael Chai," meaning "The people of Israel live."