“When I finished the run across Switzerland and proposed to my wife (the first 6 runs were to win her heart;-) we flew back home via Lisbon. This was 2017. We always wanted to come back and so the idea is to celebrate Love and Fulfilling Promises to each other.
She will join me at the end of the run and we will spend some time in Lisbon. Also my parents will fly in; it’s their 50 year anniversary.”
Izyaslav won’t be chasing any record: “In fact, since I want my family to fly in for the finish, I am envisioning slowing down for the second half of the run to time it right,” he says.
He’ll be crossing Portugal in August, from Cevide to Sagres, with product support (Aero Glide 4 Road-Running Shoes men) from outdoor brand Salomon.
Portugal offers a spectacular journey for runners, from the granite mountains of the north to the rugged cliffside trails of the Atlantic coast. This route follows a geographical progression from the northern border down to the southwestern tip:
– The North (Minho & Douro) is defined by lush greenery, steep elevation, and ancient religious history.
– In Central Portugal (Beira Litoral & Ribatejo) the terrain opens into river valleys and historic medieval towns.
– The landscape in Southern Portugal (Alentejo & Algarve) shifts to cork oak forests (montados) and dramatic ocean cliffs.
Izyaslav will be posting Facebook and Garmin watch updates during his 15-day run, so people can run and follow along.
Keep Moving Forward
Life wasn’t always going the way Slava had hoped:
“I think most people can relate to that. We all face setbacks, disappointment, heartbreak, financial stress, or periods where things simply aren’t working out.
My message is simple: keep moving forward.
It starts with something simple. Go outside. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk far, walk a little. Just don’t stay trapped in one place with your darkest thoughts. Movement creates possibility.
Over the years, people have told me that my story inspired them. That’s meaningful to me, not because of recognition or ego. I’ve never made money from these projects. I still work a regular job. What matters is the possibility that someone sees my journey and realizes they can keep going too.
That’s ultimately what motivated my involvement with Cycle Against Suicide during the Ireland run. It wasn’t about records or achievements. It was about showing, through action, that no matter how difficult things become, there is always a reason to take the next step forward.”
Now Slava wants to run across Portugal to encourage people again:
“What I can guarantee is this: if you keep fighting, you’ll never have to look back and wonder whether you gave up too soon.
Maybe nine times out of ten things don’t work out the way you planned. But if you keep showing up, keep trying, keep pushing forward, sometimes that tenth time changes everything. And even when it doesn’t, you can live without regret, knowing you did everything you could to build the life you wanted.”
