Solutions to win: Run4Victory charity race raises nearly $18,000 for "Khartiia" brigade
The last race of the Run4Victory series was held on October 27, 2024, on Trukhaniv Island in Kyiv. It drew a crowd of around a thousand participants, including military personnel, civilians, children, and even new technological advancements. The event aimed to support the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine's "Khartiia" [Charter in Ukrainian – ed.]. The race organizers were the international company MHP, the Charitable Foundation "MHP-Gromadi," and the sports community "Character."
The MHP press service reported that.
The race followed the traditional path of Trukhaniv Island, with distances of 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km, all on paved paths. The starting and ending point was the same. Runners who opted for the 21.1 km distance had to complete three laps, with water stations every 4 km.
"Trukhaniv Island became an ideal place for this event, combining calmness and picturesqueness with excellent conditions for running – both for fans of road tracks and for fans of trails," the chief judge of the competition, Vitalii Paraschuk, shared.
The presence of over 100 soldiers from the National Guard of Ukraine running alongside civilian participants was truly inspiring for everyone involved. It showed that the army's support is not only on the front lines but also in the rear.
"Run4Victory proved that we can do incredible things when the army and civilians unite. In 2024, the races were held in five cities of Ukraine – Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, and Ladyzhyn, and this year ended with the final race in Kyiv. Thanks to the active participation and support of those who care, we have managed to raise more than 2 million hryvnias for the needs of our military and will continue as long as it is needed," Oleksandr Pakholiuk, director of the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation, noted.
One notable aspect of the race was including a robot dog from the "Khartiia" reconnaissance unit. Along with other competitors, it successfully completed a 2 km course. This state-of-the-art assistant can climb stairs, carry 10 kg loads, and reach speeds of 12.5 km/h. Its innovative design significantly decreases the danger to the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.
Once the participants had completed their activities, a charity auction was hosted, raising substantial funds. The highest-priced item was a cartridge case, sold for 13 thousand hryvnias. By the end of the event, approximately 800,000 hryvnias had been collected, and they will be used to support the military's needs.
Along with the auction, several special items were also raffled off on stage, including the author's photos of the renowned Ukrainian photographer Serhii Mykhalchuk. These photos were taken as part of the "The Will to Win!" project for the Paris Olympic Games and feature autographs from outstanding athletes and Serhii Mykhalchuk himself.
So, every participant not only participated in a sports event but also had the chance to support the army.
The race marked the end of the 2024 Run4Victory series, but the organizers are already gearing up for the upcoming 2025 season and inviting everyone to join the upcoming events. Run4Victory has once again shown that the combination of sports, technology, and unity has immense influence and can significantly contribute to supporting the Ukrainian army.
Mykola Tymchenko, Rubryka's photo correspondent, was present at the event.
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It's worth mentioning that on September 29, Kyiv hosted a bike race and leisurely ride on Trukhaniv Island. This event, which was open to all participants, raised funds to support the Air Defense Forces in the Kyiv region.
Recently, there was a charity run held in Kyiv featuring the American historian Timothy Snyder to show support for Ukrainian prisoners of war.
In addition, a charity race, the Cup of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, was held in the capital. At the event, funds were collected for inclusive equipment for war veterans.
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