Seaside Marathon: A Celebration of Perseverance in Odesa

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

In the morning, participants gathered near the Sports Palace to prepare for the race. At eight o'clock, they lined up at the starting line, with the first heat featuring athletes with disabilities in wheelchairs.

Among them was Alexander, who completed a three-kilometer loop around Victory Park. He shared, "Our goal is to show that we, too, can achieve great things despite our disabilities."

Marathon participants challenged themselves on distances of 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. Veterans also took part in a ceremonial march covering 100 meters, while children participated in races of 100 and 500 meters, as well as one kilometer.

Hanna, who ran 5 km without prior training, expressed her feelings: "It was tough, but I made it to the finish line despite the weather conditions."

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

The marathon route included Shevchenko Avenue, Academic Street, and others. During the event, traffic was restricted on these roads.