Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS

WolfPack Athletics supports Anastasiia Muzyka in her 44-kilometre run for Ukraine

Apr 1, 2022 | 5:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — She was inspired by the bravery and sacrifice of friends and family in her home country. On Friday (Apr. 1), Ukrainian volleyball player Anastasiia Muzyka, who is graduating from TRU this year, showed her support for those fighting for their freedom back home by running 44 kilometres — a symbol of the 44 million Ukrainian people affected by the war.

Athletes from all of the WolfPack teams joined Anastasiia Muzyka on her run to raise money and awareness of the conflict in Ukraine.“My inside Ana is just screaming like crazy right now — like, what happened?!”

Muzyka says after the run, “It’s so exciting that we’re able to gather these people together — this is my family. They were here with me to do this crazy thought.”

Muzyka was inspired by fellow Ukrainian athlete Vova Pluzhnikov, who travelled all the way from Prince George, to join the run. Pluzhnikov did his own 44-kilometre run for the 44 million people of Ukraine.

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“[The folks back home] encourage me and inspire me to do these kinds of events, to bring people together to try and support the cause and spread awareness, to educate others on the things that happening back home,” Pluzhnikov explains.

Vova, a basketball player for the UNBC Timberwolves in PG, ran 44 km on his own today — in just over four hours. Apart from fatigue, he’s also feeling gratitude for the support he’s seen.

“I’m really thankful that I’ve gotten to know these amazing people here,” he says. “It means a lot to me, and I’m sure it means a lot to our people back home.”Just before 2:30 pm, Muzyka was joined by her teammates, friends, and WolfPack athletics staff for the final lap.

For her, watching the war unfold from half a world away has been difficult. After her run, Ana says she feels like she’s doing her part.

“I don’t feel useless anymore,” she says. “It was hard for me to do this run — to organize everything while doing school and doing practices. But then, when you think back – people are dying. If this is the sacrifice they have to make, I’ll do [the run] next week. I’ll do the same thing if it will help my country and my people.”

Ana’s Run for Ukraine has raised over $5,000 so far. It’s also united these athletes for the cause, and brought some peace to Vova and Anastasiia during a difficult time.