NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Ukrainian running group is urging the organizers of the New York City Marathon to not allow Russian runners to participate in the race in solidarity with Ukraine.
An online petition was started by Anna Shpook, a Ukranian runner who has been living in New York for more than 20 years. Shpook, who is part of the group Ukrainian Running Club NY, argues that Russians and Belarusians should not be allowed to participate while war is still ravishing Ukraine.
“Ukrainians cannot travel, they cannot enjoy life due to martial law, fighting and dying,” Shpook told 1010 WINS.
Shpook is asking the New York Road Runners Club, who will be hoisting the marathon on Nov. 6, to follow the lead of the Boston Marathon which banned Russian and Belarusian runners in April.
“Stand with Ukraine, stand with democracy, stand with peace and do the right thing,” Shpook said.
The Boston Marathon only banned runners who lived in Russia or Belarus. Russians or Belarusians who lived in other countries were welcome to participate but not under the Russian or Belarusian flags.
The New York Road Runners Club did not immediately respond for comment.
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