Solutions to win: Ukrainian postal company launches World’s Longest Marathon in support of Ukrainian heroes

Ukrainian postal company Nova Poshta has launched registration for the "World's Longest Marathon" charity race to support those who have been protecting, rescuing, treating, and bringing Ukraine closer to victory for more than nine years.

Rubryka writes about it.

What is the problem?

Millions of people have been defending Ukraine's freedom every day for more than nine years — no other sports race in the world has lasted so long. The goal of the project is to remind the world audience about the strength of Ukrainians and unite people from all over the world to thank and support those who are bringing Ukraine's victory closer.

What is the solution?

On October 29, Nova Poshta will host a race called "The World's Longest Marathon." Each participant will be able to run the distance in Kyiv or anywhere on the planet for their hero or heroine and dedicate a medal to them.

Everyone who registers for the race will receive a starting number with a fact about the war in Ukraine and a place for dedication, as well as postcards with photos of Konstantin Liberov and Vlada Liberova [famous Ukrainian photographers – ed.]

It's worth noting that the Liberov family's photographs from war zones made it into Time magazine's Top 100 Photos of 2022 and have been featured prominently by global media outlets such as the Washington Post and CNN.

Participants will also receive a medal:

• One side of it is dedicated to all those who, risking their own lives, bring the victory of Ukraine closer,
• the second side is dynamic and visualizes the movement of a marathon runner who, like Ukraine, never stops.

The visual concept of the medal was developed by the world-renowned Ukrainian designer Yurko Hutsuliak.

"We compare Ukraine's path to victory with a marathon because a marathon is a distance that requires endurance, stability, and strength. This is exactly what our military, doctors, rescuers, and volunteers demonstrate – all endurance marathoners who do not stop for a moment for each of us," says Inna Popereshniuk, co-founder of Nova Poshta, participant and organizer of marathons.

The participants of the "World's Longest Marathon" campaign are:

• soldiers of the Ground Forces of Ukraine's armed forces Andriy and Nadiia,
• serviceman "Lion" who is recovering in the "Nezlamni" National Rehabilitation Center after being wounded;
• Olha Demydova, senior nurse of the Department of Anesthesiology of the "Okhmatdyt" National Children's Hospital,
• employees of the Army Competent Assistance Fund "Come Back Alive" – veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war Andrii Nahornyi and war correspondent Maksym Lymanskyi.

How does it work?

Instead of registration fees for participating in the race, the organizers suggest making a donation to the fundraiser "Protect the sky – boost our air defense" from Nova Poshta and the "Return Alive" fund.

To join the "World's Longest Marathon", you should:

• register at worldslongestmarathon.org;
• make a contribution to the collection of New Mail and the "Return Alive" fund to strengthen Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense;
• get a starting number on which to indicate the name of the person to whom you dedicate your race;
• On October 29, run a distance in Kyiv or anywhere on the planet;
• post a photo or video on social media with the hashtag #worldslongestmarathon and tag the @worldslongestmarathon page.

The number of starter sets is limited: the first 10,000 participants will receive them. Nova Poshta will deliver the set to Ukraine and all over the world free of charge, and participants running the race in Kyiv will get their set the day before the event at the venue of the "World's Longest Marathon" – Expocenter of Ukraine.

"The struggle for the freedom of Ukraine is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. I realized this back in 2015 during my service," says Andriy Nahornyi. "Now, the battle against the enemy continues, so it is only becoming more important to show our support for the Defense Forces. The best way to show appreciation towards all those who are working towards bringing victory, is to not take their efforts for granted, remember their work and donate to them."

For reference:

It should be noted that almost UAH 110,000 was spent on drones and a car for the military: a charity race was held in Ladyzhyn.

In addition, the Ukrainian Grain Association created an international charity fund. It is designed to help Ukrainian farmers de-mine their fields and be able to sow and grow grain again.