Moscow, Russia—After passing through 17 towns and cities, the 2018 Russian Peace Road ultramarathon returned to Moscow for its conclusion.

The 30 participants, most of them children and youth, ran a relay of about 1,200 kilometers (more than 745 miles) in 12 days. They started from Moscow’s Kilometer Zero near Red Square on June 1 and finished at Moscow’s Victory Park on June 12.

UPF-Russia organized the ultramarathon jointly with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in conjunction with the Moscow Region public organization Super Marathoners—for a Healthy Lifestyle.

The route passed through six regions of the Russian Federation in what is known as Russia’s Golden Ring. Participants started from Moscow and continued to Krasnogorsk, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov the Great, Borisoglebsky, Uglich, Rybinsk, Tutayev, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Furmanov, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Yuryev Polsky, Kolchugino-Noginsk and Electrostal, before returning to Moscow.

Local government and media in all 17 towns welcomed the runners. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs promoted the project through corporate sites. The Russian President’s Fund provided the bus for the runners.

The 30 ultramarathoners ranged in age from 8 to 75 years. Dmitry Samko, the secretary general of UPF-Moscow, was the spokesperson for the project. Sergey Suprunyuk, an Ambassador for Peace, was the chief coach. UPF made new contacts and partners. And the adult marathoners said they wish to run in an upcoming Peace Road event that will connect the Balkan states!