The "Running Hearts" fundraising marathon was held at Gorky Park in Moscow on May 16. The event was organized to raise money for special play and educational parks for disabled kids and teenagers.
The charity race was organized by the Naked Heart Foundation founded by Russian model Natalia Vodyanova.
Above: Top model Natalia Vodyanova, founder of the Naked Heart Foundation, takes part in the Running Hearts charity race held at the Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Top model Natalia Vodyanova, founder of the Naked Heart Foundation, takes part in the Running Hearts charity race held at the Gorky Park in Moscow.
More than 1,500 people took part in the event. Despite the rainy weather, they ran distances of five and 10 kilometers. Participants could choose the distance to run.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity marathon held at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity marathon held at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Participants made donations during registration totaling 10 million rubles (over $200,000).
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity run held at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity run held at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Many Russian media and sports celebrities participated in the race and made donations to the fund. In addition, Russian Paralympic athletes took part in the marathon.
Above: Model Natalia Vodyanova and famous Russian figure skater Olympic champion Evgeny Plushenko before the start of the Running Hearts charity marathon at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Model Natalia Vodyanova and famous Russian figure skater Olympic champion Evgeny Plushenko before the start of the Running Hearts charity marathon at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Previously, Vodyanova, known for her avid charity activity, has held fundraising marathons in Paris, and this year the event came to Moscow.
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
The money will be spent to organize summer interactive and educational leisure programs in special play parks for children with autism, Down syndrome and learning disabilities.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
"It is a very important event for the Naked Heart Foundation. We’ve ran for already six years, but this time it’s the first marathon of our own. It’s unprecedented for Russia. All the money raised will be spent on charity," Natalia Vodyanova said.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
The Naked Heart Foundation is a charity which helps foster children and children with disabilities. It was founded by Natalia Vodyanova in 2004.
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: A participant of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
The foundation’s goal is to create safe and stimulating play places for children. More than 100 play parks have been built by the charity in 68 Russian cities.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: Participants of the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
Above: A musician plays the trumpet during the Running Hearts charity race at Gorky Park in Moscow.
