The Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation Youth Race is back!
On the weekend of March 19th and 20th, the 14th OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO took place. After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the organizers managed to rally thousands of runners, many of whom flew to the island to participate in one of the six races. Approximately 10,000 runners of all ages and abilities took part in the largest sporting event on the island – a celebration of unity, sport, and peace.
Our foundation has been supporting the OPAP Limassol GSO marathon for over the past 5 years as a race sponsor of the Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation Youth Race. Thanks to that, more than 5,000 children and teenagers ranging from 6 to 16 years old have participated in the largest sporting event in Cyprus. Even during the pandemic, we did not stop. We continued to support the marathon which was held online. With vivacious spirits, we, together with the organizers and participants, proved that there are no barriers to good intentions, and we will not back down in the face of difficulties.
Finally, the day arrived when we met in person again and were able to communicate and rub shoulders with a teammate. This year, two different distances were set up for the two age groups for children aged 6–8 and 9–11. Participation in the Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation Youth Race was free for all children.
Our founder Julia Dashina personally launched the marathon by firing a starting pistol, whilst Anfisa Dashina took part in the race running alongside children from different countries and cultures united as one. At the end of the run, all children received commemorative medals.
“Today our children from different countries and cultures are united in doing something healthy, positive, and rewarding, in an environment that feels safe and secure. We should all be grateful that on this island, we can provide our children with a normal life that other children in other parts of the world cannot currently enjoy. We are all really very lucky and the happy eyes and the children’s smiles at the finish line are the best proof of this,” said Julia Dashina in her speech.
A little earlier on the same day, the Primetel 5KM Corporate Race took place – the most popular race in the OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO. Team Exinity joined local and international runners with a manifest for Peace and Unity.
For some, participating in the race is an opportunity to test themselves and their endurance. For others – to show perseverance on the way to the finish line. For the third – to win. And although one of the marathon postulates is that “the main thing is not to win, but to participate”, all our team members successfully reached the finish line, demonstrating their goodwill and corporate spirit, taking worthy places among the rest of 3,171 participants.