Mark Rubakh’s journey began in Russia, a place where his family faced persecution that forced them to flee for safety. As a young boy, Mark watched his parents leave behind everything they knew to find refuge in America. The weight of their struggle stayed with him as he grew up, shaping his understanding of what it meant to lose a home and build a new life from the ground up. In America, Mark was determined to make the most of the opportunity his family had been given, but he never forgot the sacrifices his parents made or the hardships of the millions who continued to live displaced, torn from their homes by conflict and oppression.

In 2023, Mark found a unique way to honor his family’s history while giving back to the global refugee community. He ran the New York City Marathon, not just as an athlete, but as a champion for refugees. Every mile he ran was dedicated to raising awareness and funds for displaced people around the world, motivated by the displacement crisis that intensified with the war in Ukraine. His marathon became a personal tribute, not just to his parents but to all refugees who, like them, had to leave everything behind to seek a better future.

Mark’s story is important because it demonstrates how personal history can inspire action that transcends individual struggles. By combining his love of running with his desire to make a difference, he turned an athletic feat into a mission for advocacy, raising both awareness and hope. His story encourages others to take their personal pain and channel it into positive change, showing that no act is too small when it comes to helping those in need. In Mark’s journey, we see the ripple effect of compassion, one that begins with family but extends far beyond to impact the lives of countless others.