The idea of holding a patriotic race in embroidered shirts was born in July 2014. But the roots of this project go back much further, to 1991, when the Independence Cup half marathon was held annually in Kyiv on Independence Day (August 24). Participants started on Khreshchatyk (Independence Square), ran to Ukrainian Heroes Square, and returned to European Square, forming a 6-7 km ring. It was one of the largest races in Ukraine then, with up to 2000 participants from all over the country. The start was at 14:00, right after the military parade, in the day's heat. It was here that the qualifiers for the World Championships were held. Oleksandr Kuzin won the race in 1996 and 2000, and his wife won in 2004.
Over time, the race disappeared due to a drop in interest in running, a change in organizers, and the popularity of the heroic games. There was almost no running culture in Ukraine.
In 2014, at the height of his volunteer activity during the war, Kuzin was invited to a meeting at X-Park. During an informal conversation, Oleksandr mentioned that August 24 was “free” for running events and suggested holding a patriotic race in embroidered shirts. His marathon club was called Taras Bulba, and the idea of recreating the national spirit in a running format seemed symbolic.
Just a month before Independence Day, Kuzin decided to hold the race without lengthy approvals. To avoid bureaucracy and road closure permits, he chose the territory of VDNG (the Expocenter of Ukraine)—a green area with a convenient 5 km loop, shade, summer, and comfort. He agreed with the management to hold the event there.
Registration was opened three weeks before the start. Back then, running was not such a mass phenomenon, and there were few people. So Kuzin wrote on Facebook: “Those who come in embroidery will run for free.” About 300 participants gathered. Everyone wore embroidered shirts- even children. To make everyone look beautiful and harmonious, he bought simple embroidered shirts from the Yaroslav company - they cost about 40 UAH at the time. He covered part of the costs at his own expense: rent, technical support, etc.
The only sponsor of that first race was New Balance. The money was used to buy yellow and blue balloons and fill them with gas, and at the start, the participants released them into the sky—symbolically, beautifully, patriotically.
The race received a positive response, and Kuzin decided not to limit himself to Kyiv. He began to contact other cities and diasporas abroad. The event is held every year, and in 2016, more than 1,500 participants gathered on Rusanivska embankment in Kyiv. Cities all over Ukraine and the world joined the race: New York, Washington, Dubai, Lisbon, Warsaw, etc.
In 2023, the Ukrainian company Creative States, a network of modern coworking spaces, joined the organizing team and helped expand the event's format, making it even more modern, large-scale, and charitable.
Nowadays, the Vyshyvanka Run is held annually on Independence Day. Its distances range from 100 meters for children to 21 km for experienced runners.
The event is a charity event; in 2024, part of the registration fees supported the Liberi Studio sports medicine and rehabilitation studio, which provides free medical care to the military.
"The Vyshyvanka Run has become a symbol of unity, patriotism, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle among Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad.
