CHICAGO – Jr. Lt. Roman Kashpur, 28, a Ukrainian war hero and symbol of unshakable resilience, has achieved a monumental athletic feat — completing all six of the world’s major marathons: the Tokyo, Berlin, London, New York, Chicago – and finally Boston.
On April 21, in Boston – the oldest marathon in the U.S. – he crossed the final finish line of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, not just as a runner, but as a proud defender of Ukraine, carrying the spirit of his homeland every step of the way.
Running with a prosthetic limb after losing the lower part of his leg to a landmine in the Donetsk region in 2019, Kashpur has refused to let injury define him. Instead, he transformed adversity into inspiration, dedicating his victories on the marathon course to the brave defenders of Ukraine and the next generation of Ukrainians — including his newborn daughter, Viktoria.
“I dedicate this accomplishment to my 2-month-old daughter, Viktoria, and to the heroic service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Kashpur told the Ukrainian World Congress, reflecting on his journey after finishing the Boston Marathon.
His final marathon took place just two days before a deeply symbolic date — April 23 — the anniversary of his first major race in London. And as fate would have it, the official colors of the Boston Marathon — blue and yellow — echoed the Ukrainian flag, a reminder that Ukraine’s spirit shines even across oceans.
In a heartfelt ceremony at the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago, Kashpur presented a signed flag from the “Beaver” 808th Engineering Brigade, where he now serves, as a gift of gratitude to the Ukrainian diaspora.
“I love Chicago, I love the Ukrainian community here,” he said, flanked by supporters including members of Revived Soldiers Ukraine and the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International. “Here in Chicago, I’ve had the strongest support — a community that truly runs alongside me.”
A proud native of Vinnytsia Oblast, Kashpur enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2016 at just 19. He served with distinction in both the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and later in the 74th Reconnaissance Battalion. After his injury in 2019, he returned to service in 2022, dedicating himself to training new recruits and continuing to serve his nation with unwavering devotion.
Wearing his hard-earned Six Star Finisher Medal — awarded to runners who complete the world’s six major marathons — Kashpur now sets his sights on an even greater challenge: the Ironman triathlon.
“I’m ready to start training,” he said with quiet confidence. “Ukraine runs through my veins — and I’ll carry our flag further still.”
“We are deeply moved to host Roman [Kashpur] and receive a national flag from someone who has quite literally carried Ukraine’s strength across continents,” said Zachary Dmyterko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian National Museum. “His visit is not only an inspiration to our community but also a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people.”
Latest news
#DefeatRussia
