A group of Thompson Rivers University athletes and others are going to be doing laps at Hillside Stadium today in support of Ukraine.

Launched by TRU volleyball player Anastasiia Muzyka – who is from Ukraine – the goal of the 44 km run is to raise both money and further support for the 44-million people in Ukraine.

“For Ukrainian people there is no music, no movies, no fun. There is no good morning, afternoon, or evening. Now there is hoping for the war to end. And the need is greater than ever for our help,” Muzyka said.

“[I’ve been] waiting for the morning, and checking in on family and fiends all the time. Refreshing the newsfeed every second and just simply trying not to cry.”

Since announcing the launch of the run last week, Muzyka has been able to raise around $4,000 so far.

This morning’s run, which gets underway at 9 a.m., is open to everyone. The Wolfpack athletes will alternate between loops of the track and laps of campus, but Muzyka says people are welcome to walk, run or roll for as little or as long as they want to.

“I am inviting the entire Kamloops community and beyond to join in on this effort. I know that today our attention moves very quickly but I beg all of you to keep your focus on Ukraine,” she said.

And if running is not your forte, people will also be able to cheer the Wolfpack athletes on.

You can make a donation here.

“On February 24 my life changed forever when missiles hit Ukrainian cities.”

Anastasiia Muzyka is organizing a 44 km run on Friday April in Kamloops to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Donate: https://t.co/3g4khXS6Mf pic.twitter.com/R8QIUoBoG2

— TRU WolfPack 🐺 (@GoTRUWolfPack) March 25, 2022