Date: 06-05-2026
On 9 May 2026, the VDNG exhibition centre in Kyiv will host the charity sporting event ‘Run with Europe’, which will unite Ukrainians around the ideas of peace, support for the military and honouring the memory of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
The event is organised by the ‘New Country’ Charitable Foundation and Anatoliy Kutsenko, with the participation of representatives from the sporting community and partners.
The main idea behind the run is to create a space for unity, remembrance and support. Participants will help raise funds for a multi-purpose repair complex, Workshop-Locker, for the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and cultural values.
A special feature of the event will be the symbolic transformation of bullet casings into medals for finishers — as a reminder that sport is stronger than war, notes Vasyl Troina, a representative of the “New Country” Foundation.
“We also came up with the idea of honouring our first heroes who died for European values — the Heavenly Hundred. So on this day, in addition to the planned distances, we will have a symbolic 107-metre distance — representing the number of heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. Everyone will be able to complete it — walking or running, as best they can: including soldiers with lost limbs or in wheelchairs. This is an opportunity to join in, to remember and honour the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred,” he added.
“It is very important to seek out modern, active, living forms of remembrance. The run is precisely such a form where, by taking part, we run for a hero — whether of the Heavenly Hundred or a hero of the great war for independence — remembering them. And as long as we remember, the heroes do not die,” emphasises Ihor Poshyvailo, director of the National Memorial Complex of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
The charitable aspect
During the event, funds will be raised for a mobile repair workshop for marines.
“This unit includes tyre-fitting equipment, lathes and drilling machines — everything that is critically needed at the front. It costs almost 2 million hryvnias, and the military cannot raise such funds on their own,” explains Sergeant Serhiy Kuzyk of the 36th Brigade.
The organisers stress: every donation and every kilometre is real help for the military.
Format and distances
Participants can choose their participation format:
Offline (VDNG, Kyiv):
Online participation:
Event details
Date: 9 May 2026
Location: VDNG, Kyiv
Organisers: ‘New Country’ Charitable Foundation
Partners: Ukrainian Nordic Walking Federation, Club In Omni Tempore
Registration: