Kyiv’s first fully accessible marathon brings together 5,000 runners
This weekend, Nova Post and New Run hosted their first-ever fully barrier-free marathon, bringing together over 5,000 runners from 40 countries. The event aimed to make running accessible for everyone, including a special 'Race for Two' to support wounded soldiers.
Held at Kyiv’s Expocenter of Ukraine, the marathon featured 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km races, with over 3,400 participants, including more than 300 people from low-mobility groups. These participants included individuals with vision or hearing impairments, autism, cerebral palsy, wheelchair users, people with prosthetics, children under 7, the elderly, and even runners with pets.
To ensure accessibility, organizers lowered curbs, smoothed asphalt, set up easy-access registration and awards areas, and provided spaces for childcare and animal care. In a groundbreaking move, the marathon introduced a "Start without a shot" system, designed in collaboration with PTSD experts, researchers, and sound artists. This eliminated the traditional starting pistol, replacing the gunshot sound with a more inclusive signal.
A highlight of the event was the 'Race for Two,' where more than 500 participants ran 1 km in support of soldiers undergoing rehabilitation. The race took place not only in Kyiv but also remotely across five continents, including the United States, Australia, Antarctica (at the Akademik Vernadsky station), the UK, Japan, and New Zealand.
Five members of the Invictus Games 2025 national team participated in the 5 km race: Yaroslav Sharkyi, Denys Smolnikov, Anatolii Birko, Oleksandr Androshchuk, and Oleksii Vasyliev. Ruslan Serhiychuk, another Invictus Games 2025 participant, completed the 10 km course. Additionally, 10 individuals with cerebral palsy completed the 10 km race. Public figure Ulyana Pcholkina and Armed Forces sapper Vladyslav Yeshchenko, who lost his sight while demining near Bakhmut, took part in the 1 km race. Visually impaired runner Vasyl Zakrevsky ran 5 km with his guide, TV presenter and blogger Mykyta Dobrynin.
One inspiring participant was Andrii Solomin, a soldier who lost both legs in combat and was clinically dead for six minutes. Now using a wheelchair, Andrii is undergoing rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN center.
"Today, I was able to cover the distance without asking anyone for help to move my wheelchair over curbs or avoid pits. It feels incredible to complete the race knowing I can do it independently because everything is accessible,” Andrii shared. “The changes Nova Post made at the Expocenter are noticeable. And it’s great that this space will remain accessible after the marathon.”
'Race for Two'
Journalists, athletes, musicians, and comedians came together for the 'Race for Two' to support soldiers who couldn’t run themselves. Participants included 2016 Olympic gymnastics champion Oleh Verniaiev, rapper OTOY, singer ENLEO, military photographer Dmytro “Orest” Kozatskyi, YouTube blogger Ramina Eskhakzai, comedian Serhii Chirkov, soldier Oleksandr Liashuk and his war cat Shayba, rhythmic gymnast Viktoriia Onopriienko, YouTube blogger Alina Dorotiuk, and 2024 Paralympic Games champion Oksana Zubkovska. Ukrainska Pravda’s editor-in-chief Sevgil Musaieva ran with her dog.
At the finish line, participants awarded medals to the wounded soldiers who attended the event at Kyiv's Expocenter.
“There are many ways to thank our defenders—whether it’s with a smile, a hand over the heart, a cup of coffee, or running a race for those who sacrificed their health for our future. Today I ran for my colleague, Oleksandr Karasiov, who was severely injured in the war. After getting prosthetics and going through rehab, he’s now working at a terminal in Odesa. I believe one day Oleksandr will run a marathon on his own. And not just him, but every defender of Ukraine,” said Inna Popereshniuk, co-founder of Nova Post and New Run ambassador.
Participants in the US, Canada, France, Denmark, UAE, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries also joined the 'Race for Two' remotely. The event was supported by Viche Berlin (an association of Ukrainians in Germany), the Ukrainian Canadian Student Association, and the Ukrainian community in the US. All registration fees from the 'Race for Two'—over UAH 500,000—will be donated to the UNBROKEN rehabilitation center.
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