On May 30, 2025, on the eve of International Children’s Day, a press conference was held at the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, where the results of the 32nd “Chestnut Run” were announced.

Thanks to every participant and team who made a charitable contribution, the “Chestnut Run” Foundation presented a symbolic check for 2,000,000 hryvnias to the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

“All Runs held since 1993 have been dedicated to helping children. Thanks to the tremendous work of the Chestnut Run team, this event has become much more than just a campaign or a fundraising initiative for children. It is a celebration of kindness that has become a tradition for 32 years. Today, it is an integral part of the city of Kyiv and of Ukraine as a whole. Despite COVID and the full-scale war, the team continues to work and remains committed to this wonderful event, which now also receives international support,” said Iryna Kuznietsova, initiator and organizer of the “Chestnut Run.”

Andrii Maksymenko, Medical Director of the Center, noted that the funds raised will be used to purchase a modern high-pressure injector for the Center’s X-ray operating room. This device allows doctors to perform angiography safely and accurately in the youngest patients — even in premature babies — without surgical incisions, through peripheral vessels. It is not just a piece of equipment, but a critically important tool that helps save the lives of thousands of Ukrainian children with heart defects every year.

For the fourth time, the “Chestnut Run” was held online due to the full-scale war and for safety reasons. Without a single старт location but with the same goal, participants completed the distance independently — in a convenient and safe place. The 32nd Run brought together 9,611 participants in Ukraine and around the world, setting a new record for the project throughout all the years of its online format.

Participants from more than 90 cities and towns across Ukraine joined the event, including Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, Bilohorodka, Ivankiv, Obukhiv, Fastiv, Khrystynivka, Velykyi Bychiv, Sofiivska Borshchahivka, Odesa, Vyshneve, Kriukivshchyna, Brovary, Hlevakha, Vyshhorod, Makariv, Lviv, Kotsiubynske, Horodyshche, Kalynivka, Dnipro, Korosten, Yelyzavetivka, Cherkasy, Sloviansk, Ukrainka, Novyi Rozdil, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, Uzhhorod, Ternopil, Boryspil, Boryslav, Sharovechka, Kharkiv, Vyzhnytsia, Svitlovodsk, Poltava, Sumy, Velyki Mezhyrichi, Ladyzhyn, Bila Tserkva, Vasylkiv, Sviatopetrivske, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kobtsi, Borshchiv, Zalizne, Novosilky, Krushynka, Mali Kanivtsi, Putrivka, Pereiaslav, Oleksandriia, Bakhmach, Bilozerske, Chernivtsi, Rozdilna, Lubny, Novohuivynske, Kremenchuk, Nizhyn, Kosiv, Uman, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Shostka, Khorol, Monastyryshche, Slobozhanske, Kramatorsk, Zhytomyr, Chaiky, Velyka Oleksandrivka, Velyki Sorochyntsi, Snovsk, Zhornivka, Rivne, Orzhytsia, Chuhuiv, Lutsk, Hatne, Boiarka, Mykulychi, Kropyvnytskyi, Znamianka, Mariupol, Hryhorivka, Drohobych, Lychanka, Chabany, and Khmelnytskyi.

In 2025, the “Chestnut Run” continued to unite the hearts of Ukrainians around the world. This year, the project reached its largest international scale in its entire history. The event brought together not only Ukrainians currently living abroad but also supporters from other countries, including Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The “Chestnut Run” also received active informational support from the Embassies of Ukraine in Latvia, Tanzania, Thailand, Austria, Moldova, the Netherlands, South Korea, Indonesia, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Georgia, and Albania. Meanwhile, Ukrainian consulates in Brno, Kraków, Bălți, New York, and San Francisco not only joined the initiative themselves but also inspired local communities to take to the streets of their cities — running for life.

Thanks to the support of local organizers and the Embassies of Ukraine, official offline starts took place in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz), Poland (Wrocław, Kraków, and Warsaw), the United States (Dallas), France (Dijon), Ireland (Killarney), Switzerland (Zurich), Australia (Melbourne, Perth, and Hobart), Portugal (Lisbon), Italy, Spain, Moldova, Cyprus, and Bali.

This year, the charitable project was supported through informational outreach by well-known Ukrainian actors, singers, influencers, and TV hosts, who became ambassadors of the 32nd “Chestnut Run.” Among them are:

• Daria Trehubova — Ukrainian TV host, actress, screenwriter, producer, and director;
• Yevheniia Lohai — influencer and founder of the “Spadshchyna” brand
• theater and film actors Kseniia Vertynska, Ihor Rubashkin, Daria Leheida-Sova, and Daria Rybak
• Nataliia Ostrovska — TV host of TSN and the 1+1 Marathon, journalist
• Olena Topolia — singer, composer, and songwriter.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Theatre on Pechersk, a charity performance “Salida Cruzada — 8 Steps of Tango” was staged at the initiative of the theatre’s artistic director Ihor Rubashkin. Thanks to the actors of the theatre and the caring audience who supported the event with their presence, 43,050 hryvnias were raised to support the Center.

Another powerful tradition of the “Chestnut Run” is the spirit of teamwork — one of the most valuable charitable traditions dedicated to Kyiv Day for businesses, government institutions, public, charitable and religious organizations, as well as international participants.

This year, 161 teams became part of this great cause, demonstrating genuine social responsibility. Once again, the leader was the “Team of the Caring” from the company Ukrgazvydobuvannya, which brought together 1,100 participants, surpassing its own record of 800 participants set last year.

All the teams that united to participate in the 32nd “Chestnut Run” included:

Universal Bank | monobank, Raiffeisen Bank, Rubizh of the National Guard of Ukraine, Sense Bank, Military Unit 3114 of the National Guard of Ukraine, Pharmacy 9-1-1, Oschadbank | Run, ProCredit Bank, Northern Kyiv Territorial Department of the National Guard of Ukraine, ROZETKA TEAM, NIBULON, Sanofi, PRAVEX BANK, UKRNAFTA RUNNING TEAM, #OKKODreamTeam, Homenet, Cassation Administrative Court within the Supreme Court, Military Unit 3101 of the National Guard of Ukraine, Domino’s, ACME, BALDORNON, Creatio One Team, GRUNDFOS Ukraine, Pesto Family, Microkhim Team, Yurii-Farm LLC, DVL (Datagroup-Volia-lifecell), MEGOGO, Kyiv Customs, Unbreakable Ukraine Foundation, Nextiva Ukraine LLC, VOKI Games, VISIUM, ROSHEN Trade Union, BTU, Harwind, Amway Ukraine, Deloitte Ukraine, REZULT, Soufflet Agro Ukraine, CEC Team, ECLECTIC TEAM, VUSO Team, LEROY MERLIN Ukraine LLC, Antonov JSC, MetLife, mono, High Anti-Corruption Court, Ascania Group of Companies, KNU RUN, Dovgiy Family Office, Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies, Philips Ukraine, Interstarch Ukraine LLC, Arricano, Veramed, Trinetix, Energo Trade JSC, Brainstack, Notaries of Ukraine, Team Exim, De Novo, Foxtrot, Ukrtelecom, Svit-Agro Team, Dalgakiran, Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC, BMSERVICE, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, Empat, Pethouse, Materialise, Bosch Ukraine, Ukraine-Dijon-Bourgogne, BRIGANTINA Running Club, VeliTech, Pliusivtsi (1+1 Media), KVERTUS, IT Planet Group, Beer Runners, Arzinger, Versuni UA Team, NOVUS Ukraine LLC, Uklon, Delphi Software, Running Community of Zhornivka, Kniazhychi and Bobrytsia villages, SPS Ukraine LLC, Zirkova 40 8-a, PUMA Team, Helsi Ukraine LLC, Disciplinary Inspectors Service of the High Council of Justice Secretariat, Raben Ukraine, KARKAT Fashion, Futurra Team, Orexim Group of Companies, VENCON, KPMG in Ukraine, Import Office Ukraine, Grid Dynamics, NGO “No One Else’s Trouble”, Khrystynivka Community, SupportYourApp Team, Mykhail Lyceum, Povitruli (GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ukraine), Yasensvit, KENPACK Ukraine, Mapei Ukraine LLC, Visium-Kremenchuk, Mobilunity, Medicalaser, Kyiv Emergency Services Team, Kyivstar, Mitgo Team, SUNFIX, Nota Group, NGO “Crossroads of Ideas”, CustomerTimes, FLG: Favorite Uncle Italian Edition ELECTRON 044CAFE, Zagoriy Foundation, Mega Motors / Mega Credit, Slavia Dental Clinic, Ternopil Running Club, Trenčín Helps Ukraine, Healthy Movement, Women of Batkivshchyna Chernihiv Region, ALLSTARSIT, AC Crowe Ukraine, Ihromag, Registration Service, Sushi Story, Marshal-1, Oleh’s Heart, KONSTRUKTYV, CAT Ukraine, Printec, Yurii-Farm, Independent Team (Branch 9 of the Shevchenkivskyi District Medical Center, Kyiv), Hilton Kyiv Team, TOPOVI, Univest Marketing Company LLC, CLEAN POINT, VENCON, OU, Beer Runners, Allvue, Juscutum, DEVILS, Le Jump, Doing Good Together, the 1st Presidential Operational Brigade named after Hetman Petro Doroshenko “Burevii”, Vienna Team, UStream Runners, PLAST Austria, The Power of Change (Life Capital), FeelGoodTeam, Danube Fortress Nest, Salzburg Team (Ukrainisches Zentrum Salzburg), Schritt für Schritt, Dallas Team, Graz, Zurich, Plast Scouts Runners from Prague, Ukrainians in Cyprus, and Ukrainians in Bali.

Under the chestnut trees of Kyiv, the traditional team of annual ambassadors took part in the start. This year it included:

• Andrii Maksymenko — Medical Director of the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery;
• Yuliia Khan — Director of the Department of Youth and Sports of the Kyiv City State Administration;
• Andrii Dzhedzhula — Ukrainian theatre and film actor, TV and radio host, showman, volunteer, and head of a charitable organization;
• Our defenders from the units of the Northern Operational-Territorial Association of the National Guard of Ukraine;
• The State Emergency Service of Ukraine;
• Yaroslav Filimonov — Head of KVERTUS, a Ukrainian manufacturer of electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems;
• Volodymyr Zhovnir — Acting Director of the Center for Radiation Medicine;
• representatives of the “Team of the Caring” from Ukrgazvydobuvannya;
• Serhii Annikov — ultramarathon runner and representative of Raiffeisen Bank.

«As a Department, we provide organizational support for the Chestnut Run, and I am immensely glad that we are part of this great cause — a driving force that truly helps. We understand why it is needed,» said Yuliia Khan, Director of the Department of Youth and Sports of the Kyiv City State Administration.

Among all participants, special gratitude goes to the Armed Forces of Ukraine — heroes who not only defend our country but also took part in the Chestnut Run: the 4th Operational Brigade named after Hero of Ukraine Sergeant Serhii Mykhalchuk (“Rubizh” Brigade), the Northern Kyiv Territorial Unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, Military Unit 3114 of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 1st Presidential Operational Brigade named after Hetman Petro Doroshenko “Burevii”, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The Chestnut Run team expresses sincere thanks to every participant, ambassador, embassy, offline start organizer, each team, and all those who contributed to raising funds to save children’s hearts. Special gratitude is extended to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for enabling the event, as well as to our partners: Champion Radio (official radio partner), Adshot Creative (creative partner), and Ribs Studio (IT partner) — for professional media support, creativity, and technical assistance.

Photographs by Inna Zahorulko.

Organizers of the 32nd Chestnut Run:

Charitable Foundation “Chestnut Run”

Department of Youth and Sports of the City of Kyiv

Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA)

#Probig2025

#RunningForLittleHearts