Nearly 2,000 runners braved the rain on June 7 to participate in the third annual Go to the Future charity run at the VDNH exhibition center in Kyiv. The event, organized by the Future for Ukraine Foundation, raised support and awareness for Ukrainian veterans living with limb loss and prosthetics.
A Community United Through Running
The run brought together an inspiring cross-section of Ukrainian society: veterans with prostheses, active-duty service members, business representatives, celebrities, and everyday Kyiv residents. Despite a steady downpour, participants filled the course to show gratitude to those who sacrificed their health defending the country.
As a veteran who returned to life and work after receiving a prosthesis, I show by my own example that high-quality prosthetics are available in Ukraine and can help restore mobility, said Hlib Kravchenko, a veteran of the 3rd Army Corps who ran for the second year in a row.
Event Format and Distances
Participants could choose from multiple distances: a 5 km or 2 km run, children distances of 400 m and 800 m, and a special 1 km dog-friendly distance. The canine-friendly route featured four-legged participants from the National Guard of Ukraine K-9 unit.
The day kicked off with an energetic warm-up, followed by the Unity Relay a 400-meter team relay featuring four teams of veterans and celebrity captains including rapper alyona alyona, comedian Anatolii Anatolich, and singer ALEKSEEV.
Corporate and Business Participation
The run has become a significant team-building event for Ukrainian and international businesses. Partners included the International Prosthetics Center, The Pfizer Foundation, Smartass fitness, and sponsors THRASH, Roosh Tech, Appflame, DataArt, Morshynska, and Hydria Electrolytes. Many companies sponsored custom-branded running kits including moisture-wicking t-shirts, caps, and bibs.
Custom Printing Connections
Charity runs like Go to the Future showcase how custom apparel plays a vital role in fundraising events. Participants received event t-shirts, corporate teams ordered branded activewear, and organizers coordinated with print partners for custom merchandise including the runs branded t-shirts and sponsor signage. This highlights the ongoing demand for custom-printed sportswear in Ukraines charity and community event sector.
Growing Impact
This year event was the largest in its three-year history, growing from 1,500 participants in 2025 to nearly 2,000 in 2026. The run was supported by the Askold and Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia as part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine project, funded by Norway and Sweden.