(Kyiv) Thousands of runners took part in a marathon in Kyiv this weekend, the first of such scale organized in Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country began in early 2022.
Last year, the event, called the “Marathon of Invincibility”, was canceled. This time, more than 5,000 people were able to gather around distances ranging from 5 to 42 kilometers for Sunday’s event.
“You should try to make your life easier, in any way possible,” said Vlada, a 32-year-old participant, adding that “if sport helps you cope with anxiety or other difficult situations in the life, you have to make it.”
Half of the recorded revenue will be used to purchase military equipment for the Ukrainian army.
The race came as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal warned last week that Russia had launched a new campaign of airstrikes on the country’s energy infrastructure.
Last winter, the Ukrainian network was attacked several times, depriving millions of people of electricity, heat and water, including in Kyiv.