Solutions from Ukraine: Nearly 5,000 runners join inclusive NEWRUN Lviv half marathon with veterans to raise funds for UNBROKEN center

04.05.2026, 10:23 rubryka.com

After joining the nationwide moment of silence and singing the national anthem, experienced athletes were first on the course, taking on the 21 km distance. As is tradition in Lviv, the half-marathon started outside the iconic Lviv Opera House.

Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi welcomed participants from across the country.

Next were the 10 km runners, followed by those running the 5 km and 1 km courses.

Veterans in rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN center participated in a symbolic run, and the event also featured a charity student mile that united 770 students.

Athletes of all levels, from professionals and well-known influencers to experienced marathoners and first-timers, participated.

For one runner, Solomiia, the day marked a special milestone. "Back in March, I couldn't run two kilometers, but I set a goal to change that. I really like the growing running culture in Ukraine and wanted to be part of this community. I began training regularly and gradually increased my distance. Eventually, I signed up for this half-marathon, hoping it would motivate me to start running 5 km by May. I'm very nervous today, but I hope I can do it. The special medals feature images of Lviv's buildings. It's incredibly symbolic to celebrate the city's birthday with my first running achievement. I'm happy to be here instead of just watching," she shared.

Oksana Syvets, director of NewRun, said, "We created a format where everyone can find their distance, regardless of experience or preparation. This is about accessibility, unity, and strength. We want running to bring people together and inspire them."

This year's half-marathon also carried an important social mission. Throughout the event, donations are being collected via dobro.ua to support sports initiatives at the UNBROKEN center, specifically for veterans' adaptation and rehabilitation through sports.

Photo credit: Anastasiia Smolienko for the Lviv City CouncilFunds raised will go toward creating a prize fund for the UNBROKEN Games, which will take place in Lviv at the end of May.

Background

A commemorative race in Lviv honoring the November Order raised nearly 70,000 UAH for Ukraine's armed forces, with 113 runners completing the course. All proceeds were directed to an FPV drone workshop that supports the "Revenge Group" strike UAV platoon of the 1st Mechanized Battalion, 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, to bolster its effectiveness on the front line.

Moreover, on May 25, 2025, as Kyiv celebrated its 1,543rd anniversary, the 32nd annual "Chestnut Run" took place. The event, traditionally supported by the Department of Youth and Sports of the Kyiv City State Administration, brought together thousands of participants united by a shared goal: to support young patients of the Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

It should be noted that military personnel, veterans, medics, rescuers, cadets, volunteers, and residents of Lviv took part in the charity race "Meest Run the World Lviv Ten", running distances from 1 to 10 kilometers. During the event, participants raised ₴200,000 for the 24th King Danylo Brigade and the 25th Brigade of the Air Force of Ukraine. Veterans undergoing rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN center also joined, completing the symbolic distance.