‍So why am I embarking on this 100 Mile challenge?

Running 100 miles represents the physical and mental struggle that people with amputated limbs go through in their recovery and daily lives. It’s a way to push one’s limits in honor of their resilience.

I hope that this challenge will inspire others either to join me on this run, start their own challenge and creates a movement, or just simply not to be indifferent by bringing together donors, volunteers, and those affected by the war in Ukraine into a shared cause that fosters unity and encouragement.

I hope the war will be over before I run the 100 miles on June 8th. Regardless of whether the war ends or not, people in Ukraine will continue to need support in many aspects. The humanitarian needs in Ukraine are as urgent as ever. People are still facing an ongoing war with displacement, loss, and trauma, and they need help to rebuild their lives. Fundraisers can help bridge the gap in assistance, ensuring that help continues to flow directly to those who need it most.

I’m honored to team up with Volia Fund 501 (c)(3) in the effort to raise funds for the Ukraine Abilitation Initiative (UAble), is a humanitarian program focused on providing comprehensive care and support to over 80,000 Ukrainians who have lost limbs due to war-related injuries. Its mission is to help these individuals regain independence and reintegrate into society. Through international partnerships with prosthetic specialists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals, the initiative enhances the skills of local healthcare providers, improving access to prosthetic care and rehabilitation. By fostering a "train the trainer" approach, the program empowers local professionals and aims to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals affected by limb loss in Ukraine.

Please visit https://www.volia.fund/projects/ukraine-prosthetic-initiative for more details.

Rebuilding Lives, One Mile at a Time

A bit about me…

I am a Ukrainian-American with three homes: Seattle, where I’ve lived since 2020 and now call home; New York, where I grew up; and Dnipro, Ukraine, where I was born. Each of these places has shaped me, and I carry them all in my heart. But right now, a part of my heart is being torn apart by the war that has consumed one of my homes for the past three years of full scale invasion. Throughout this time, I have supported Ukrainians in every way I can, and I have no intention of stopping.

At some point, I made the mistake of running a marathon, and now I can’t stop. With five marathon medals and one ultramarathon medal to my neck, I can confidently call myself a runner. So, I came up with a bold idea: to take on a 100-mile challenge, combining my passion for running with a mission to raise funds for a cause that is urgent, vital, and life-saving.

I would truly appreciate any support you can offer in this journey, but financial contributions will have the greatest impact as it will save lives.

That said, If you join me on a run, expect a sweaty hug and a smile - forced if it's after mile 50, but genuinely happy if it's before.

If you just high five me on my route it will make me smile! But if that high five comes with a $5 donation, I just might find the energy to run another 100 miles and with a $20 I might think the moon is not that far. You get the idea ;)

‍

The Route of Struggle and Resilience

‍

Strava Link

Volia Run/Walk (last 5K of the 100 Miles to Rebuild Lives)

For the last 10 miles of the 100 miles I encourage everyone to join and support the cause in person. Run or walk as much as you can/want.

Start and Finish | Strava Link

‍

Start Time 5 pm, run or walk the 5K loop at  Luke McRedmond Park and return the same route to finish in the same spot. Please note that this is not an official race, and there will be some road crossings along the route. Stay cautious and use traffic lights whenever possible.

We start at Totem Lake on Cross Kirkland Corridor which transitions into Eastrail which then merges with Sammamish River Trail and turn around at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville. (Please note the 5 miles turnaround will be right after Wilmot Gateway Park, just 0.2 miles after the bridge. See map below)

100 Mile - Start in Redmond and Finish in Totem Lake

Section 1 Sammamish Lake - 22 miles - 3 h 30 min

1. Start time 12:01 am near Marymoor Park by W Lk Sammamish Pkwy NE route - pace ~9 min/mile
2. Mile 12, 1:50 am - 10 minute break at Sunset Beach in Lake Sammamish State Park.

Resume at 2 am, East Lake Sammamish Trail towards Marymoor Park - pace ~9 min/mile

3. Mile 22, 3:30 am - 10 minute break by Marymoor in south Redmond.

‍

Section 2 Lake to Lake - 11.4 miles - 2 h 5 min (5 h 35 min cumulative)

Resume at 3:40 am, East Lake Sammamish Trail towards Bothel - 11.4 miles -  pace ~10 min/mile

4. Mile 33.4, 5:35 am - 15 minute break by Wayne Public Park in south Bothel.

‍

Section 3 Washington Lake - Bothel to Renton - 34 miles - 6 h 10 min (11 h 45 min cumulative)

Resume at 5:50 am, Burke-Gilman Trail towards WA University - 12.7 miles - pace ~10 min/mile

5. Mile 46.1, 8:00 am - 15 minute break by south lawn of Drumheller Fountain at WU Campus.

Resume at 8:15 am, towards Washington Lake Blvd to Seaward Park - 11.1 miles - pace ~10 min/mile

6. Mile 57.2, 10:05 am - 15 minute break by Seward Park Audubon Center at Seaward Park.

Resume at 10:20 am, Seaward Park Ave S to Rainier Ave S towards Renton - 10.2 miles - pace ~10 min/mile

‍

Section 4 Washington Lake - Renton to Redmond via Totem Lake and Bellevue - 22.6 miles - 6 h (17 h 50 min cumulative)

7. Mile 67.4, 12:00 pm - 20 minute break at south lawn of Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton.

Resume at 12:20 pm, Renton to Bellevue - 10.3 miles - pace ~11-12 min/mile

8. Mile 77.7, 2:00 pm - 20 minute break by Hunts Point Town Hall.

Resume at 2:20 pm, Hunts Point Town Hall to Evergreen Point Bridge and back to Totem Lake - 12.3 miles - pace ~11 min/mile

9. Mile 90, 4:35 pm - 15 minute break at south lawn of Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Resume at 4:50 pm, Totem Lake to Woodinville and back - 7 miles - pace ~11-12 min/mile

‍

Section 6 VOLIA 5K Run - Luke McRedmond Park Loop - 3.1 miles - 30-40 min (18 h 50 min cumulative)

10. Mile 97, 6:00 pm - 25 minute break at south lawn of Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Resume at 6:15 pm, Luke McRedmond Park Loop - 3.1 miles - pace ~11-12 min/mile

Finish at 6:30-7pm in Luke McRedmond Park

‍