The Seaside Marathon Odesa took place, attracting around 600 participants, including veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Here’s how the event unfolded.

In the morning, participants gathered at the Sports Palace to prepare for the marathon. The event kicked off with a race for individuals in wheelchairs.

Among the participants was Alexander, who completed a three-kilometer distance around Victory Park. He expressed, "Our goal is to show that we are just like everyone else, and we can achieve anything despite our disabilities."

Marathon runners challenged themselves with distances of 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km, while veterans walked a ceremonial 100-meter route. Children also participated in shorter races.

Hanna, who ran the 5 km without prior training, shared her thoughts: "It was tough, but I managed to finish, despite the weather conditions."

This event is held for the second time, according to organizer Olga Volobuyeva, who mentioned that about 600 participants from Ukraine and abroad registered this year. All funds raised will support the development of adaptive sports in the Odesa region.

The marathon route spanned across Shevchenko Avenue, Academic Street, and other locations, with traffic restrictions in place during the event.