Runners of 24 RAZAM marathon sponsored by VOKA have ran and swam over 12 000 hours in aid to children

Summarizing the results of 24 hours charitable marathon 24 RAZAM in aid to children with autism that was taking place on 16-17 August, Belarusians have collectively run and swum over 12 100 hours. This is a cumulative time all participants of 24 hours marathon in Belarus and abroad have run and swum for charitable aid from VOKA at the amount of BYN 50 000 to be granted to international charitable social organization Children. Autism. Parents.

The funds raised will be forwarded to realization of the project called Sport- inclusivity that is supervised by a well-known swimmer Alexandra Gerasimenya. It aims to create inclusive sports programs that presuppose joint trainings for neurotypical children and children with special needs.

“We could not stay on the sidelines of such a topical and necessary project. 24 RAZAM marathon from the very beginning gained a special atmosphere of nobleness. This was the inspiration our sports stars urged all Belarusians to run and swim in aid to children and the records our runners and swimmers set on the day of 24 hours marathon. And every effort was done for a big good deed that has demonstrated that Belarusians are able to help!”, - noted Anton Bladik, Senior Director for Digital Platforms and Content of A1.

Participation in 24 hours marathon required a run or a swim in any place or swimming pool with a distance registered by any fitness app and a screenshot posted on own page in any social network with a hashtag #VOKA24. Besides, 24 hours run was organized at track and field stadium in Minsk and a swim in Tractor swimming pool.

Down the road, thousands of people shared their results in social networks and significantly popped up the charity box while over 2000 runners participated in a big run at the track and field stadium many of whom ran non-stop during 24 hours. Thus, the most significant individual contribution came from Petr Ragoisha – 172 kms, impressive results set by Alexei Leonov – 101 kms, Sergei Schurko – 54 kms. Female runners were not less effective with over 50 kms from Olga Vorobyova, over 42 kms from Tamara Yermakova and over 40 kms from Veronika Moiseyeva. The winners were awarded with prizes from Xiaomi and TV channel Zhivi!

The longest distance over 24 hours was covered by the team of triathlon club Tristyle, i.e. 283 kms. The most massive was a participation of Alexandra Gerasimenya’s team – in total 314 people took part in running and swimming, top 3 leaders include hockey club Dynamo with 159 participants and Pressball team with 122 participants. A well-famed biathlon runner Darya Domracheva came to support 24 RAZAM marathon together with her numerous team.

A team of the famous tennis player Alexandra Sasnovich took part in the run too. Over 15 members arrived at the stadium in Minsk while Alexandra herself supported the team in New York together with her coach by running along the city at night. Alexandra’s fans across the world contributed too: running results with hashtags #RunwithSasha arrived from the Netherlands and even from China. Total contribution of Alexandra Sasnovich’s team into the marathon 24 RAZAM made up 1288 minutes!

The swimming part of the marathon attracted over 500 participants many of whom demonstrated impressive results like Andrei Vanin, Roman Kostitsin, Pavel Musalyamov, Yuri Svistunov, Natalia Slobodenyuk, Kiril Peshkov, Olga Nazarova and many others who have been swimming for hours in aid to children.

“We thank every participant who has supported our project. All together we have managed to raise impressive funds donated by VOKA VOD to be further on forwarded to a good deed, i.e. aid to children with autism. We do our best to help them find their place in the society, do sports and just live without a feeling of being a person with special needs. And we very much thank our charity partners for their support”, - stated Alexandra Gerasimenya, initiator of charitable project 24 RAZAM immediately after her last swim on 17 August within the framework of the charitable marathon.