Emotional moment Ukrainian man completes 45-mile run for family back home as protesters cheer in Piccadilly Gardens

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

As hundreds of people chanted ‘Stop Putin, Stop The War’ in unison outside Queen Victoria's Statue in Piccadilly Gardens in response to the situation in Ukraine, a young man emerged from the crowds.

In a pair of black shorts and running gear, the man had just finished a grueling six-hour marathon in a bid to raise crucial funds for Ukraine Aid Manchester.

Arseniy Panin, a postgraduate law student at the University of Manchester, started the 45-mile run at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill just before 10am on Saturday (March 5) before making his way through Manchester and beyond.

READ MORE: Crowds burst into song at Piccadilly Gardens protest in emotional show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine

“It was originally supposed to be a 26 mile run but I ended up going a far bit longer than I intended,” Arseniy, who is originally from Kyiv, told the M.E.N shortly after his triumph.

“We started off in Cheetham Hill and went way past Altrincham through Manchester's canal system.

"We ended up somewhere in the countryside with no idea where we were before we made our way into the city centre.”

Along the way, Arseniy was joined on his run with 64-year-old Petro Svistok who had heard about his attempt and wanted to do it with him.

“We had to adjust things and went a bit further than usual,” Arseniy said.

“But I was determined that we were going to finish it together, no matter what.”

Upon arriving in Piccadilly Gardens, six hours after starting the run, Arseniy and Petro were greeted by applause from crowds who had gathered early to show support for Ukraine.

The event featured speeches, songs and chanting from crowds urging more action to be done from world leaders in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

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