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Barrier-free marathon on October 26: 5,000 runners from 30 countries took to the starting line for unity
More than 5,000 people of all ages, experience, and physical abilities joined the Nova Poshta Barrier-Free Marathon, which took place on October 26. A thousand participants ran remotely — in 30 countries around the world, from Canada and the US to Germany, Poland, and Spain — supporting the “Unity Run,” a symbolic charity kilometer dedicated to the unity of Ukrainians.
Both experienced athletes and first-time runners took part in the marathon at VDNG in Kyiv and the online race. Among them were people with disabilities, veterans, parents with children in strollers, and older people — all of whom may have previously doubted their abilities.
«Our marathons started in May, and this is the third and final one of the season. More than 5,000 runners registered for it — an impressive number. More than 1,000 registered online — we strive to unite Ukrainians from all over the world: from the US, Canada, Germany, Poland, and other countries. We have improved the concept of accessibility so that running is available to everyone,»
— said Olga Paprotska-Matusyak, director of the marketing communications department at Nova Poshta.
In particular, the organizers set up comfortable changing rooms and dressing rooms, places for childcare and animal feeding, and recovery areas in the starting area. Sign language interpreters, volunteers, and sports assistants worked at the location to help everyone who needed it to get around. A special start signal was also used—without a gunshot. Last year, Nova Poshta developed it together with PTSD scientists and researchers, sound artists, and designers from Ukraine and abroad.
The funds from the registration fees for the Unity Run will be used for the treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation of Unbroken patients. Seventeen people who are currently undergoing rehabilitation at this center also participated in a special distance race. For example, veteran Roman Chernenko, who lost his leg at the front, ran 10 km on a prosthesis.
«Rehabilitation does not end after discharge, it lasts for months. Running helps to restore not only the body, but also self-confidence,»
— said Roman.
His brother-in-arms Vladislav from the Kyiv region, who also underwent prosthetics, took part in the race with his wife and baby in a stroller.
«The injury was a new start for me. I tried many new things, and now I am also involved in sports initiatives. I want to show others by my example that you can always move forward,»
— he said.
A thousand Ukrainians around the world ran simultaneously that day — in Warsaw, Berlin, Barcelona, Brussels, London, Dublin, and overseas.
«When you're abroad, the feeling of emptiness doesn't go away. But when you see Ukrainians from different countries running at the same time, you realize that we are all part of one big movement,»
— said Olena from Khmelnytskyi, who joined the race in the Belgian city of Kolfontein.
The running initiative, which brought together thousands of people around the world, also became an event that will go down in sports history. During the marathon at VDNG, a Ukrainian national record was set: among the participants was Vadym Antony, who over three years completed 157 ultramarathons — distances longer than 42 km 195 meters, with his longest run being 107 km.
Reference
The Nova Post Barrier-Free Marathon is a nationwide initiative that brings together people regardless of age, experience, or physical abilities. The company has been organizing running events for 10 years and introduced the concept of barrier-free running in 2024.
UNBROKEN is Ukraine's largest rehabilitation center, providing free treatment, prosthetics, and psychological assistance to people affected by the war.