Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run

It is not every day an Olympian joins the Killarney parkrun, but participants had exactly that experience last Saturday, when two-time Ukrainian Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych joined the event at Killarney House and Gardens.

Heraskevych completed the 5km route alongside members of both the local and Ukrainian communities as part of the annual Ukrainian Chestnut Run. The charity tradition originated in Kyiv 33 years ago and has been organised locally by the Killarney Ukrainian community for the past four years.
The athlete previously captured global attention at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina with his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to fallen athletes.
His appearance in Killarney was part of a week-long tour of athletic and educational centres across south-west Ireland. He spent Friday night in Tralee ahead of the Saturday morning run. During his stay in the region, Heraskevych visited the MTU Tralee campus to meet with students, researchers, and local representatives to discuss sports diplomacy, sustainability, and inclusive sports.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has said that while the TFI Anseo pilot project in Killarney has undoubtedly provided a valuable public transport service for many people, serious questions now need to be asked about its long-term financial sustainability.

The comments come following a reply received from the National Transport Authority (NTA), which confirmed that fare revenue generated by the service between August 2025 and March 2026 amounted to €62,565, while the operating cost over the same period was €495,000.

Deputy Healy-Rae said:

“There is no doubt that many people have benefited from the TFI Anseo service. It has provided a flexible transport option, particularly for those without access to a car, older people, students and workers who need to get around Killarney. I have heard positive feedback from a lot of users and that should be acknowledged.”

“However, we also have to be honest and ask questions about the figures that have now been provided by the NTA. The service generated just over €62,500 in fare income during the period in question, while costing almost half a million euro to operate. That means the taxpayer is carrying the overwhelming majority of the cost.”

Deputy Healy-Rae said that while public transport services will always require some level of subsidy, there must be a clear understanding of whether the current model can be sustained in the longer term.

“Nobody expects rural or local transport services to make a profit, nor should they. Public transport is a public service. However, there is a difference between subsidising a service and having a situation where the cost and income are so far apart. It is only fair that questions are asked as to whether the model is sustainable and whether value for money is being achieved.”