The TCS London Marathon is a chance for a Ukrainian serviceman who lost a leg while fighting on the front lines against Russian aggression to overcome his “inner no.”
Roman Kashpur, who has a prosthetic limb, is preparing to run the 26.2 miles and cross the finish line on The Mall tomorrow. He has a “big responsibility” to his country and is preparing for the race.
The endeavour to raise money is a component of his continuous effort to “do everything possible and impossible” to pave the way for other badly injured Ukrainian service members.
The 26-year-old’s first marathon attempt follows a path to recovery that began when he stepped on an enemy anti-personnel mine while on a reconnaissance mission in the eastern Donetsk region.
Refusing to sink into depression and inactivity, he ran 50 metres on his prosthesis on the day it was fitted.
Roman is now due to join around 50,000 other runners thronging the streets after he and wife Yulia flew into the UK on Thursday.
He confirmed to Metro.co.uk that he plans to run the entire distance — with a target time of around eight hours.
‘From the first minutes of the injury, I knew it would be an amputation, a prosthesis, but I also knew that a new page in life had begun,’ Roman said.
‘It was a new challenge. I did not perceive my amputation as a weakness but as a strength. It has only strengthened my spirit, hardened my character and forced me to fight my laziness, fear and “inner no” to overcome them.
‘It has pushed me toward new heights and victories for Ukraine, my family and all those who are seriously wounded and depressed.
‘I challenge everything Russian aggression has brought on our people. My message is to fight, fight and fight again with my own self and win.’
Roman, from Khmilnyk in the central Vinnytsia region, took part in several major battles after first entering active frontline duty six years ago, aged 19.
The injury came in May 2019 when he was on the mission near the city of Marinka. The father-of-two’s right leg had to be amputated a third of the way up his shin and his left leg received multiple shrapnel injuries.
After rehabilitation in Latvia, he became a CrossFit champion and even returned to the frontline following Russia’s full-scale invasion last February.
In his latest challenge, the marathoner will be cheered on by Yulia while their boys, Ivan, eight, and two-year-old Oleksandr stay in Ukraine.
He told Metro.co.uk that he and his wife are missing their sons but he feels ‘great pride’ representing his homeland.
‘We already miss the screams and the endless calls for mum or dad,’ Roman said. ‘At the same time, I understand my responsibility taking part in the marathon on April 23.
‘I want to be as helpful as possible to my army and the seriously wounded guys through motivational fundraising support. So my mental focus is set on fighting and we will do everything possible and impossible.
‘Having temporarily left Ukraine and coming to London, I already feel great pride that I will participate on behalf of Ukraine. I have been receiving calls and messages from friends, relatives and family and I feel their support.
‘People believe in me, and even though I’ve yet to cross the start line, I feel a big, big responsibility. This motivates me to make maximum efforts to overcome the distance.’
Roman was serving with the 74th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, with his specialisms including scout machine gunner and scout sapper, when he stepped on the mine.
The amputation took place at a hospital in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv and the blast also affected his left knee, which wouldn’t bend and was left with 20% functionality.
Determined to overcome the devastating injuries, he went on to win two consecutive victories in the ‘Games of Heroes’ CrossFit Competition.
He also set a Ukrainian national record for ‘pulling an An-26 aircraft by a person with a disability’ — hauling the 16-tonne cargo plane via a harness on his back.
At the outset of the full-scale invasion, the combat veteran evacuated his family from Kharkiv and returned to the frontline.
He spent the first month and a half on active combat operations before becoming an instructor.
Roman is now an ambassador for the Citizen Charity Foundation, a Ukrainian organisation supporting injured servicemen with modern prosthetics, education and physical and psychological rehabilitation.
He is still an active serviceman with the 92nd Separate Mechanised Brigade.
Asked about the prospect of reaching the hallowed time clock, he replied: ‘I can only say that 42 kilometers are separating me from the finish line.
‘I will fight with all my might to challenge my “Inner no” and put in maximum effort to cross it.
‘I will do my best because I really feel the support of many people now.
‘I won’t say it’s the whole country but all the closest and dearest people support me so it adds a lot to my state of mind. Psychological support, adjustment and victory over oneself are essential for sportspeople.
‘When I compare pulling the plane to athletics and running, especially in the marathon, it’s about challenging one’s psychology, internal opposition and “internal no”. So it will be a huge challenge.
‘I want to push myself to the limit right here and pass this massive test.’
Roman is due to take his place with around 50,000 other people massing in Greenwich Park tomorrow.
He is aiming to raise a target of £100,000 for British-Ukrainian Aid, which has partnered with Citizen to support servicemen with amputations and severe wounds.
Dr Natalia Tronenko, one of the co-founders of the grassroots charity, praised the fundraiser as she met Metro.co.uk in West London this week.
‘Roman is incredible and we are so grateful for his effort, bravery and perseverance,’ she said.
‘He is running the London Marathon using his prosthesis to raise awareness of injured people who have sadly lost limbs, it’s just such an honourable and brave thing to do.
‘We are very privileged to have people like Roman supporting such an important cause.’
