We need marathons to popularize sports and healthy lifestyles: RUN 4 VICTORY participant tells his story of participating in races

On September 15, Cherkasy will host the third charity marathon within the RUN 4 VICTORY Race League. All the funds raised will be used to support the local 118th Brigade of the Anti-Terrorist Operation, UNN reports.

Details

The marathon is organized by the Kharaktern sports community and the MHP Community Charitable Foundation. The race is sponsored by MHP International and the MHP Central Hub. The event is supported by the Cherkasy RMA and the city council.

The marathon in Cherkasy will feature a 2 km inclusive course for participants with musculoskeletal disorders and amputations.

"Such events are needed now. First of all, this is a charity race in support of the 118th TRO. It is also important that marathons promote sports and a healthy lifestyle," says Serhiy Pryadka, a veteran, founder of a sailing school for children and participant in the Invictus Games competition.

Until 2014, Pryadka lived and worked in Poland. He was engaged in the production of windows. When he learned about the Ilovaysk cauldron, he decided to return to Ukraine because he could not stand aside.

"I used to drive military vehicles in a driving school, so I had experience and knew that my skills would be useful. So I decided to volunteer for the front. In 2015, I returned to Ukraine and signed a contract," the veteran recalls.

He adds that after February 24, 2022, the nature of the fighting changed significantly. The Russians began to shell Ukrainian positions more intensively, using aircraft and the latest weapons.

On February 2, 2017, Serhiy was at the Svitlodarsk bulge near the village of Luhanske. During the evacuation of soldiers, he was wounded.

After returning from the front, Serhiy started playing sports. He participated in competitions for veterans. In 2022, he won a gold medal in the shot put at the Invictus Games.

"My wife's support and sports helped me the most. At first, I was dragged to competitions by Kharkiv volunteers. I participated in both the Strength of the Nation and the Games of Heroes. I needed it to keep myself in better shape. Now I try to motivate other guys," he adds.

Four years ago, Pryadka opened the first sailing school in Cherkasy. Children from the age of 9 are accepted there. During their studies, the pupils undergo theory in the cold season and practice, mainly in the summer.

Since its foundation, the school has been supported by the international company MHP. They buy boats and replace sails before the championships, said Pryadka. They also plan to buy new fitness equipment for veterans in the city's gyms.

"The school is attended mainly by residents of Cherkasy. Some people from Kharkiv came and study with us. But mostly Cherkasy residents. We plan to expand, but probably after the war. We want to open new branches. Last year, thanks to us, the Ukrainian Sailing Championship was held in Cherkasy. The last time we had it was in the 1960s. So we are popularizing the sport. We have also recently started a camp where children from the frontline regions can sail with us," the man says.

Now Sergiy is a regular sports fan. He trains in the gym three times a week for two hours. He does cardio and special sets of strength exercises.

"Thanks to sports, I feel much better. I can also talk to other veterans during training. The guys see me in the gym and come too. Nowadays, there are many coaches in Ukraine who work with amputee veterans. In 2019, no one wanted to take me because they did not understand how to do it. My current coach said: "I don't know how, but let's try." We started practicing a little bit, and as a result, I got into the Invictus Games team," he says.

The veteran assures that Ukraine should pay more attention to inclusiveness.

"Abroad, you don't feel like you have no legs. In Ukraine, you go to the store and hear people talking behind you: "Why doesn't he stay at home?". We think that a person with a disability should stay at home.

This all stretches back to Soviet times. But now everything has changed. We move around in cars and there is no such 'limitation' in our capabilities," the veteran emphasizes.

Pryadka's veteran friends will join the race in Cherkasy. Some of them will cover the distance on an inclusive track. The veteran calls on Ukrainians to actively join the charity project.

Registration for the third charity marathon within the RUN 4 VICTORY Race League in Cherkasy will last until September 11.

https://runstyle.net/events/mhp-cherkasy/

To register, you need to make a voluntary donation.

You can choose the distance of the marathon yourself - 2, 5, 10 or 21 km. Children will be able to participate in 200, 400 or 800 meters. You can also join the marathon online.

RUN 4 VICTORY races have already taken place in Ternopil and Vinnytsia. In addition to Cherkasy, the marathon is planned to be held in Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region, in the fall.