Ukrainian ultramarathon runner and UNITED24 ambassador Mykola Taran took first place among men and second place overall at the annual Kenai River Marathon in Kenai, Alaska. The athlete dedicated his performance to Ukraine and to fundraising for the restoration of Ukrainian sports infrastructure.
Mykola Taran shared this news with Vilni Media.
This year’s Kenai River Marathon marked a milestone, as the competition in Alaska was held for the 20th time. According to Taran, over 200 runners participated. Races in Alaska are known for challenging natural conditions and courses, yet the Ukrainian managed to finish first among the men and second among all marathon participants.
"My victory is a great opportunity to tell the world about the war in Ukraine. I trained hard, and it paid off. I had the chance to speak about Ukraine, the war, and my collaboration with the presidential charity platform UNITED24," said Mykola Taran.
Taran is a five-time Ukrainian record holder in ultramarathon running and an organizer of charity runs in Europe and the USA. While in Alaska, he uses these sporting events as a platform to draw American attention to Ukraine. The Kenai marathon was the second of three consecutive marathons the athlete decided to run to raise funds for the recovery of sports in Ukraine. "Last week it was a marathon in Fairbanks, this week in Kenai, and next week it’s in the ski town of Girdwood," the athlete noted.
According to Taran, at every race, he strives to speak with participants and spectators about Russia's war against Ukraine and to remind them of the need for continued international support.
За словами Тарана, під час кожного старту він прагне говорити з учасниками та глядачами про російську війну проти України й нагадувати про необхідність подальшої міжнародної підтримки.
"I urge everyone to join in offering support and to remind the world about the war. I still don't understand why Ukrainians in Alaska remain silent about the war in Ukraine," Taran said.
The marathon runner also emphasizes the role of Ukrainians living abroad. He believes that sporting events in the US provide an opportunity to keep the topic of Ukraine in the public eye.
"Sport is politics. That is why I run and remind people at every race in the States that it is vital for all Ukrainians abroad to speak out loudly and share the truth," the athlete declared.
After the Kenai marathon, Taran plans to continue training and compete in the next race in Girdwood. In doing so, he intends to complete a series of three consecutive marathons in Alaska.
"At this stage, it is important to train even harder and demonstrate on the international running circuit that 42 kilometers represents yet another opportunity to speak out more loudly about the war in Ukraine," Mykola Taran concluded.
Photo: Mykola Taran's archive
Author: Inna Mikhno