Seattleites support Ukraine in the 'Marathon No One Wants to Run'

Ukraine, and the rest of the world, are in the midst of a waiting game as Russia amasses troops along the country's borders.

Here in Seattle, Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans are trying to raise awareness about what’s happening.

On Sunday, President Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, told CNN that Russia’s military buildup on the border with Ukraine has been accelerating. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he supported continued conversations about a diplomatic resolution to the current crisis.

But the standstill has left people on edge, and wondering how they can help.

On Saturday, KUOW reporter Natalie Newcomb headed to Seattle's Green Lake Park, where Ukranians and Ukranian Americans participated in an event called "The Marathon in New York No One Wants to Run."

The run is a protest "against the Russian aggression and military buildup in Crimea and along Ukraine’s Russian border," Newcomb said. "Runners also were standing in solidarity with Ukrainian people. They asserted their belief that Ukraine is a sovereign and independent country."

The run wasn't just taking place here in Seattle — it's called the "Marathon in New York" because that's where it takes place. But not in the New York people usually think of. In Ukraine's Donetsk region lies another New York, a small town. It's less than a mile away from the front lines. And you wouldn't want to run it because it's a dangerous place, being so close to the non-government controlled areas.

The marathon is 265 miles. This number represents the length of the line separating Ukraine and the non-governmental controlled areas.

When runners complete the marathon they get a medal that contains a shard of a bullet casing found in the battlefields nearby.

Newcomb said the runners here in Seattle hope to create awareness of what's happening in Ukraine, and through that awareness, inspire action, such as calling their representative, or supporting the country through grassroots organizations.

Runners appeared to be nervous, Newcomb said. "It seemed like people were struggling to wrap their heads around the reality that a full-blown war might break out".

One second-generation Ukrainian community member, Laada Bilaniuk, says, "I think there is a hope no sane person would start a war. And yet Ukraine has been living with this war zone in the east for eight years now"

However, Newcomb says there was a sense of optimism that came in the form of community and unity. People carried flags, painted their faces with the colors of Ukraine, and posted signs against the war.

Bilaniuk says many Ukrainians don't want war. She hopes they prioritize putting in sanctions because a damaged economy is better than blood.They also want the U.S. to follow through on their past commitments to help Ukraine and democracy.

"I think what it’s about is walking the walk when it comes to supporting democracy and human rights, and a world order where political borders are respected," Bilaniuk says.

And most of all, Newcomb said, they want people to keep pushing for help. Their message to her: "Giving up without a fight means giving up on human rights. You have to protect what you believe in."