From February 19 to 24, Donetsk region united in a joint movement of remembrance, support and unity. Over the course of six days, the Marathon featured sports, physical education, health and patriotic events, dedicated to the memorable dates of February and the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
In total, the Marathon attracted about 1,800 participants. Representatives of regional physical education and sports institutions, local sports schools, educational institutions and youth hubs, public organizations and sports federations joined the initiatives.
These six days varied in format, ranging from memorial runs and tournaments to family relays, adaptive activities, online challenges and moments of silence. But they were united by one main thing: gratitude to the Heroes, support for our Defenders, and faith in Ukraine.
During the Marathon, the most active participants were recognized with special nominations as a symbol of gratitude for their initiative, responsibility and unity:
“Leader of the marathon movement” - for the high level of organization of events - Bakhmut, Kramatorsk, Kurakhove and Pokrovsk communities;
“Community of strength and unity” - for active and mass participation - Vuhledar, Komar, Kostyantynivka, Maryinka, Novohrodivka and Chasiv Yar communities;
“Territory of indestructibility” - for the unity of residents and support of patriotic initiatives - Velyka Novosilka, Dobropillya, Kryvorizhzhya, Mariupol, Mykolaivka, Oleksandrivska, Olhynka, Selydove and Khlibodarivka communities;
- “Together to victory” - for the unity of teaching and student communities - educational institutions of the Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Komar and Chasiv Yar communities;
- “School of strength of spirit” - for the active participation of students - educational institutions of the Maryinka, Mykolaivka and Kramatorsk communities;
- “Educational front of unity” - for supporting the Marathon and shaping patriotic values - educational institutions of Dobropillya, Kryvorizhzhya and Olhynka communities;
- “Outpost of sports unity” - for a significant contribution to the Marathon - Regional specialized youth sports school of the olympic reserve for weightlifting, Regional center for physical culture and health promotion;
- “Professionalism and service to sport” - for responsible organization of events - Regional comprehensive youth sports school of the physical culture and sports society “Kolos”, Regional comprehensive youth sports school for equestrian sports, pentathlon and triathlon, Regional specialized youth sports school of the olympic reserve for boxing;
- “Support of Donetsk region” - for active civic position and support of unity ideas - Regional youth sports school for kickboxing, Regional youth sports school for team sports and martial arts, Regional youth sports school for orphans;
- “Ambassador of strength and unity” - for promoting the Marathon and actively involving athletes - SC “Bars”, Donetsk region sumo federation;
- “Partner of indestructibility” - for actively supporting initiatives - regional chess, sports aerobics and JKS karate federations;
- “Sports solidarity” - for consolidating the sports community of Donetsk oblast - regional billiards and cheerleading federations.
The marathon served as a reminder that the strength of the community lies in joint action. That sport can be a language of unity. That memory is not just words, but concrete steps and actions.
At a time when the country continues to struggle, such sporting and patriotic initiatives are particularly important. They help to maintain resilience, support each other, and instill in the younger generation a sense of responsibility for the future of the state.
We thank the children, youth, athletes, coaches, teachers, sports department heads, regional institutions - everyone who participated. Your participation is a contribution to the collective strength of Donetsk oblast.
We remember.
We support.
We stand together.
We have endured - and we will prevail.