51st Marine Corps Marathon – Running to Honor Heroes!

Congratulations to our Ukrainian heroes Dmytro Soliarenko / Дмитро Валентинович and Viktor Shevchenko / Віктор Шевченко, who proudly crossed the finish line of the 51st Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as members of USUA Veterans Team, organized and sponsored by our nonprofit, US Ukrainian Activists (USUA), and representing Ukraine as part of Team Ukraine!

Their remarkable achievement is an inspiring demonstration of Ukrainian strength, courage, resilience, and determination — and a powerful celebration of the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between Ukraine and the United States!

Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the Marine Corps Marathon is the third-largest marathon in the United States and the world’s largest marathon without prize money. In 2026, more than 33,000 runners from around the world participated in this prestigious 26.2-mile race, making Dmytro and Viktor’s achievement even more remarkable!

Dmytro Soliarenko — A Dream Come True & a Song of Ukrainian Resilience!

Dmytro Soliarenko proudly crossed the Marine Corps Marathon finish line singing “Ой у лузі червона калина” (“Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow”), a beloved Ukrainian patriotic song symbolizing national pride, resilience, and the unwavering determination of Ukrainians to defend their freedom and independence. Originally associated with the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen during World War I, the song has become a powerful anthem of resistance and unity during Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression. Dmytro’s heartfelt performance made his finish especially moving — a celebration of Ukrainian courage and an unbreakable spirit!

Dmytro’s journey to the Marine Corps Marathon began three years earlier with a meaningful gift from his friend and fellow Ukrainian veteran Viktor Shevchenko. After participating in the 2023 marathon, Viktor brought home a U.S. Marines baseball cap and gave it to Dmytro. That cap became Dmytro’s cherished good-luck charm, accompanying him through training sessions, races, and marathons over the next three years.

In 2026, Dmytro finally fulfilled his dream of running the Marine Corps Marathon himself — proudly wearing that very same cap! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, who have stood behind USUA’s initiative to empower Ukrainian veterans, this meaningful dream became a reality.

Viktor Shevchenko — A Marathon Journey of Friendship, Loyalty, & Brotherhood!

For Viktor Shevchenko, the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon marked his second participation in this extraordinary race. During his first MCM in 2023, Viktor accompanied and supported a fellow Ukrainian wounded warrior who was struggling with his new prosthetic leg along the challenging marathon course, demonstrating remarkable compassion, loyalty, and the true spirit of brotherhood.

This year, Viktor returned to the Marine Corps Marathon as a proud member of USUA Veterans Team, representing Ukraine as part of Team Ukraine. His journey continues to embody the courage, resilience, and unwavering brotherhood of Ukraine’s defenders!

More Than a Marathon: A Journey of Healing, Recovery, and Hope!

“For US Ukrainian Activists (USUA), the Marine Corps Marathon is far more than a race. It is a journey of healing, resilience, and hope. Through this initiative, we honor Ukraine’s heroes, support their rehabilitation and empowerment, raise awareness of Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression, and strengthen the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between Ukrainian and American veterans, military communities, and our two nations.”

— Nadiya Shaporynska, Founder and President/CEO of US Ukrainian Activists (USUA), Organizer of USUA Veterans Team

Running to Honor Fallen Ukrainian Heroes — Keeping Their Dreams Alive!

We honor these brave defenders who dreamed of running this marathon but gave their lives for Ukraine:

Mykhailo Maksiyan, Volodymyr Prymachenko, Ruslan Borovyk, Oleksandr Borovskyi, Serhii Kroitor, Oleksii Rubtsov, Taras Kozlyshyn, Ihor Blinov, Vitalii Baranov, Oleksandr Kozak, and Ihor Osmak.

Dmytro and Viktor carried their dreams across the finish line. Every mile was a tribute. Every step was an act of remembrance.

Eternal memory and glory to Ukraine’s fallen Heroes.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Friends, Partners, Volunteers, & Supporters!

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA / Посольство України в США в for welcoming the Ukrainian teams representing Ukraine at the 51st Marine Corps Marathon. We are especially grateful to Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Denys Sienik for his valued support of USUA Veterans Team as part of Team Ukraine, as well as senior Military Attaché Andriy Melnyk, Military Attachés Oleksander Bohomolov and Yurii Dolotov, and Ukrainian Counselor Vladislava Vladyslava Bondarenko for meeting with our Ukrainian heroes and recognizing their participation in this meaningful event. We deeply value their dedication to Ukraine’s defenders and their continued partnership!

Our warmest thanks to Ukraine House for graciously opening its doors to our Ukrainian heroes for the second consecutive year and the third time since 2022, hosting our traditional welcome gathering ahead of the Marine Corps Marathon. This cherished tradition of hospitality, friendship, and solidarity means so much to our veterans and our community!

We are especially grateful to Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Chair of the Advisory Board of Ukraine House DC Foundation and Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Rebuilding and Investments, for her continued support and for personally welcoming and encouraging our Ukrainian defenders. Her presence, leadership, and heartfelt encouragement made this occasion especially meaningful!

A big thank-you to everyone who joined us in welcoming our Ukrainian heroes at Washington Dulles International Airport and supported them throughout their visit! Your kindness, generosity, and encouragement helped make their time in the United States truly special and unforgettable.

Special appreciation goes to our wonderful volunteers and supporters who cheered on Ukrainian heroes from Team Ukraine along the marathon route! Your enthusiasm, dedication, and warm hospitality lifted our veterans’ spirits and made their marathon experience even more memorable!

Finally, our heartfelt thanks to VETERANS RUNNING CLUB and its founder and leader, Krushynska Nataliia, for training and supporting our Ukrainian heroes! Your encouragement, dedication, and commitment to their success are truly appreciated!

A Decade of Support: Team Ukraine & USUA Veterans Team

For the past decade, since 2016, our nonprofit, US Ukrainian Activists (USUA), has proudly supported Team Ukraine at the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), playing an active role in helping Ukrainian veterans and active-duty service members represent their nation at one of America’s most inspiring marathons.

From 2016 to 2023, USUA served as a co-sponsor of Team Ukraine’s participation in the MCM. Our support included organizing community gatherings, welcoming Ukrainian veterans and active-duty service members at the airport, mobilizing supporters to cheer them along the marathon route, providing refreshments and snacks, and assisting with other practical needs throughout their visits to Washington, D.C.

In 2024, USUA expanded this commitment by establishing its own USUA Veterans Team, organized and sponsored by our nonprofit as part of Team Ukraine. This year marks the third consecutive year of this initiative, supporting Ukrainian veterans in their participation in the Marine Corps Marathon.

We are honored to continue this decade-long tradition of standing with Ukraine’s defenders, celebrating their achievements, and strengthening the friendship and solidarity between our two nations!

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who spent our Ukrainian heroes’ final day in the United States with them and came to the airport to wish them a safe journey home. Your friendship, warmth, and genuine care made their farewell especially touching and memorable. May they return safely to their loved ones, and may Ukraine achieve a just and lasting victory as soon as possible!