Новини
Charity MHP Run4Victory Cherkasy Marathon Brings Together Nearly 2,000 People and Raises Over UAH 1 Million for Veterans’ Rehabilitation
23 september 2026
More than 1,930 people from across Ukraine and abroad joined the race, including corporate teams, veterans, service members and their families, professional athletes, amateur runners, children and even four-legged participants. The Ukrainian diaspora in the United States also took part, with 18 members of Chicago’s URCC running club completing distances ranging from 2 km to 42 km.
Runners around the world were united by a shared purpose: to support their own well-being while contributing to the recovery of those who sacrificed their health defending Ukraine. A total of UAH 1,140,265, representing 100% of registration fees and donations, will support veterans’ rehabilitation at MSK Dnipro and help equip the centre with everything from physical therapy equipment to a shockwave therapy device, a laser system and other medical equipment.
“For the third year running, our MHP Run4Victory charity races have created a space where businesses, communities and individuals come together, because by joining forces we can mobilise more resources for causes that matter. This year, our focus is on recovery, both our own and that of veterans. In Kyiv, our race brought together more than 7,000 participants and raised UAH 5 million to fund prosthetic care for four veterans at the Protez Foundation. In Cherkasy, we raised more than UAH 1 million for veterans’ rehabilitation. Our races are about fostering a culture of sport and a shared responsibility for Ukraine’s recovery,” said Volodymyr Zabela, Director of the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation.
A total of 308 children took part in the free races. The youngest participant, Yeva, was just three months old. The oldest marathon runner, Mykola Derevianchuk, was 65, while the oldest MHP Run4Victory participant was 72. The race also brought together 505 service members.
A total of 131 veterans registered for the inclusive “Liudy Tytany” (“Titan People”) distance. Some of them joined the online race in a special way: veterans undergoing rehabilitation at MSK Dnipro, each with their own recovery journey, came together for a symbolic group walk. At MSK Dnipro, they take part in adaptive sports several times a week under the continuous supervision of sports medicine specialists.
“Thousands of participants came together to support the rehabilitation of our veterans. Thanks to this support, even more veterans will be able to access high-quality rehabilitation, which is an ongoing process that lasts for as long as each individual needs it. Veterans become members of the club, work with rehabilitation specialists and undergo comprehensive medical assessments under a specially developed protocol. They choose sports that support both their physical and psychological recovery. This long-term model of physical and sports rehabilitation makes our Centre one of the first facilities of its kind in Ukraine,” said Yurii Honcharov, Director of MSK Dnipro.
Adults and children received a unique medal and ribbon symbolising their charitable contribution. The medal design incorporated local motifs from the Cherkasy region alongside two of the city’s most recognisable landmarks: the Slovianskyi Hotel and the monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.
The ribbon design was inspired by the work of Mykola Telizhenko, People’s Artist of Ukraine and creator of both the Cherkasy city flag and the coat of arms of the Cherkasy region. Symbolically, 2026 has been designated the Year of Mykola Telizhenko in the Cherkasy region.
State Emergency Service rescuer Andrii Hrechanyi came to Cherkasy to set a Ukrainian record on a certified marathon course, completing 42 km in full firefighting gear weighing 22.7 kg. He dedicated the record to his colleagues Viktor Kuzmenko and Dmytro Skryl, who were killed while responding to a fire caused by a repeated enemy strike.
“Viktor and Dmytro lost their lives in the line of duty. They are people we must always remember. By setting this Ukrainian record, I wanted to draw attention to their story, as well as to the importance of supporting our veterans’ rehabilitation. I trained for a long time, fitting my preparation around my shifts, to make this possible.”
Andrii had previously set a Ukrainian record during MHP Run4Victory by completing a half marathon in 22.5 kg of firefighting gear.
“For us, supporting veterans means taking a comprehensive approach through our MHP Poruch programme. We support not only rehabilitation but also create opportunities for veterans to return to active life through sport, movement and community. The MHP Run4Victory charity races are an important part of this work. Through their participation, every runner contributes to creating more opportunities for veterans to recover and regain a sense of stability in their lives,” explained Andrii Rybalko, Head of MHP’s Central Hub.
Two couples got engaged after finishing their respective distances, marking the first engagements in the history of MHP Run4Victory. One of the proposals had originally been planned to take place on stage after one partner crossed the finish line. Together with race partners ZARINA, Rubin and Lavande, the organisers had prepared a ring and flowers for the occasion.
The race was supported by its ambassador Anatolii Anatolich, influencer Vadym Oliinyk and others. Information support was provided by partners 1+1 media, Ukrainska Pravda, Suspilne Cherkasy, Radio Mahnit and Uliublene Radio.