By Davy Crockett
Ultrarunning in Ukraine has had a long, wonderful history since the early 1970s. As the country is being ravaged from war, ultrarunners around Ukraine have turned their attention to survival, defending their country, or fleeing as refugees to other countries. Ultramarathons, once held regularly in Ukraine, are sadly gone for now.
This episode will highlight the history of ultrarunning in Ukraine and profile some of the very talented Ukrainian ultrarunners who over the years have been a great inspiration. Ultrarunners from Ukraine ran with joy in the past, but now they run in fear. With most communications cut off from them, thoughts and prayers go out as they deal with the severe violence taking place in their homeland. Some recent news is being heard from Ukrainian ultrarunners.
Over the years, there have been more than 5,000 ultrarunners from Ukraine who have walked or ran in ultramarathon events around the world from distances from 50 km to 3,100 miles. Before the pandemic, in 2019, there were 30 ultramarathons held in Ukraine and at least 1,300 Ukrainians finished ultras that year.
100km Along the Belt of Glory
The first ultra in Ukraine was started in 1974, while the country was still part of the Soviet Union. It is called “100km Along the Belt of Glory” held in Odessa, Ukraine’s biggest port city. The race has been held every year since, for the 48 years. It was established to dedicate the day of liberation of Odessa from the Nazi invaders on April 10, 1944.
The race, with a 24-hour cutoff, used to run a big loop around Odessa, but recently starts in Shevchenko Park, near the monument to the "Unknown Soldier," and then runs a big loop through Odessa, visiting many of monuments of the Second World War. It was first organized as a walking event in 1974 with 128 starters, and eventually evolved into a running ultra. The race’s largest year was in 1988 when there were 2,111 starters and 889 finishers in under 12 hours.
The current organizers wrote this description, “On April 10, 1944, the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front liberated our city from the fascist invaders. And on April 6, 1974, the inaugural ‘100 km along the Belt of Glory’ took place. Since then, every year, without exception, at the beginning of April, a walking “hundredth” starts. "We can run because you stood still!" - this phrase has become the motto of the hundred. Sadly, and obviously, the race will not be held this year for the first time since 1974.
The Belt of Glory 100km has had many traditions through the years. Guitarists walk along playing songs, accompanying the walkers and runners for the first 15 kilometers. At the finish line is played, “We are the Champions,” recognizing all those that finish as champions of the event. Finishers then get to dine on a signature soup cooked with love in the field kitchen.
During the 1980s, the race was dominated by Vitalii Kovel (1947-) of Russia, a seven-time finisher, who still holds event record with a time of 6:14:12. He also holds five of the six fastest times in the history of the race. Among the women, Natalya Marimorich (1949-) of Ukraine has had the most wins, six from 1976 to 1985. The course record is held by Tatiana Khomich of Belaris with a time of 8:31:00, set in 1990. In 2021, the overall winner was Saaryan Andrey Pavlovich with 8:13. The women’s champion was Valentina Kovalskaya with 10:05.
The Stadium Run in Odessa
The runners in Odessa can be credited for being the pioneers of Ukrainian Ultrarunning. In 1988, another race was established in Odessa, a 24-hour track race that started a long tradition of fixed-time ultras in Ukraine. It was held annually in late October for ten years and called the “24 Hours Stadium Run” and held in Spartak Stadium. For the first year, there were 35 runners from Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, and Moldavia. Valerii Gubar (1948-) of Russia won with 163 miles/262 kms.
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