Running Resilience: Yana Stepanenko’s Inspirational Journey at the Boston Marathon

A young Ukrainian, Yana Stepanenko, who tragically lost both her legs in a missile strike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, has completed the 5K race at the prestigious Boston Marathon using prosthetic legs.

Yana’s participation symbolizes the resilience of Ukraine. “Yana Stepanenko, a girl made of steel, ran the entire five kilometers of the Boston Marathon with a smile and love, embodying our strong and unbreakable nation,” remarked Iryna Kushakevych, a fellow marathon participant.

Yana’s run was not just a personal challenge but also a fundraising effort to help Oleksandr Riasnyi, a fellow Ukrainian who lost a limb while serving in the military. She aims to secure a sports-specific prosthesis to enable him to run once again.

Oleksandr Riasnyi, who has been in active service since 2011, including during the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation, was severely injured on the Zaporizhzhia front. Despite losing a leg, he remains determined to return to service and to running, with the prosthesis costing approximately UAH 600,000 (around US$15,250).

In preparation for the marathon, Yana trained rigorously for over two months, including sessions at the Nezlamni National Rehabilitation Centre and the Dynamo stadium in Lviv, as reported by Ukrinform news agency.

Yana shared her renewed passion for running, aided by American prosthetist Peter Harsch’s expertly designed running prostheses. “I’m excited about running my first marathon soon. I have an excellent support team of recovery experts and coaches,” she expressed during a public training session on April 4.

Her family, deeply affected by the conflict, supports her fully. They were all present during the missile attack on the Kramatorsk railway station on April 8, 2022, which resulted in the tragic loss of 61 lives and numerous injuries. Yana’s family subsequently moved to the United States to join a prosthetic program.

Yana hopes her efforts will inspire others facing similar challenges, emphasizing her role as a beacon of perseverance and hope.