Oleksiy Rubtsov, a 40-year-old experienced fighter of the "Azov" regiment who had already fought during the ATO, was supposed to run the marathon in London but once again took up arms when the Russian army invaded Ukraine. He was killed on September 18, 2022, in the Bahmut district under the pseudonym "Soldier", and his body has not been retrieved from the occupied Donetsk region. Instead of him, his wife Irina Rubtsova ran the London Marathon, dedicating her first marathon to her heroic husband.

According to Irina, in 2021, the selection for the Ukrainian We are Invictus Team was held in Kyiv. "Soldier" passed it and was supposed to run the Berlin Marathon in the fall of 2022. But on February 24 — the big war, and Oleksiy Rubtsov was back in action.

The British organizers of the Invictus Team offered Irina to run the marathon instead of her deceased husband. She hesitated at first, but eventually agreed.

Irina prepared for the marathon for 6 months, training 4 times a week with professional coach Andriy Pavelko.

Irina Rubtsova completed the marathon distance in London in 4 hours. For the last 3 kilometers, she ran under the flag with the names of "Azov", "Carpathian Sich", and other heroes who gave their lives defending Ukraine from the Russian onslaught. As well as those who are currently in Russian captivity.

In peacetime, the Rubtsovs set themselves the goal of running all six of the world's most famous marathons — the so-called Majors. Irina's dream of realizing their dream of the first marathon medal has already come true.