For Ukrainian runners, the marathon is an opportunity to show solidarity with Ukraine.
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The group drafted a petition asking the marathon's organizers, the New York Road Runners (NYRR), to ban Russian and Belarusian runners from participating in this year's event.
The petition states that allowing these runners to compete suggests the diabolical acts committed by Moscow and its allies are normal. It also says that the ban would not be a punishment towards the runners themselves, but rather a show of support.
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In response, the NYRR said that although it does stand in solidarity with Ukraine, it will not discriminate against individual runners based on their nationality or country of birth.
The New York City Marathon takes place on November 6.
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