Priest Peter Gombita to run 900 km from Kyiv to Košice for peace

Slovak priest and endurance runner Peter Gombita is organizing a symbolic 900-kilometer run from Kyiv, Ukraine, to Košice, Slovakia, to advocate for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.

Starting on September 24, a group of Slovak and Ukrainian runners will begin the journey with a prayer at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kyiv. The group aims to reach Košice by October 2, where they plan to participate in the International Peace Marathon two days later. Throughout the route, additional Ukrainian runners are expected to join the group spontaneously.

Gombita, who leads the non-profit organization Oáza in Bernátovce, acknowledged the inherent risks of running through a war zone and the unpredictability of the route. The initiative is intended to symbolize the connection between Ukraine and Slovakia while highlighting the importance of solidarity and global peace.