Thousands of runners in countries from around the world, including Canada, took part in so-called secret marathons Wednesday in support of women in Afghanistan who often face threats and insults for participating in marathons.
The marathons were organized in 16 cities ahead of both International Women鈥檚 Day on Friday and the release this year of a new documentary called 鈥淭he Secret Marathon,鈥� which highlights the trailblazing Afghan women who run marathons in spite of the 鈥渃ultural and social barriers鈥� and risks to their personal safety.
鈥淪ome women were being called prostitutes just for going out to run and getting terrorist threats from some groups for doing so,鈥� Hirra Farooqi, the documentary鈥檚 production assistant, told CTV News.
The documentary also features the story of the country鈥檚 first female marathoner, who in 2015 ran with the men despite threats the Taliban had made against female runners.
Katie McKenzie, the documentary鈥檚 co-director, was inspired by renowned Alberta marathoner Martin Parnell to make the film. Parnell, who suffered a life-threatening blood clot, was encouraged to lace up his runners and to race again after reading about the pioneering Afghan women who risked their lives to run freely.
The group Free to Run, a non-profit that uses sport to empower women and girls living in conflict zones, was also involved in organizing the secret marathons and helping Afghan women to train safely.
It will often take women in unmarked vans to places where they can train. The marathon鈥檚 route is kept secret until just before the race begins so that it is not targeted.
鈥淭he recent amazing news is that some runners from Free to Run have been able to qualify for the Olympics to represent Afghanistan,鈥� Farooqi said.
The filmmakers hope that the documentary will resonate with women runners elsewhere in the world, who may not face threats from terrorist groups, but who nonetheless often don鈥檛 feel safe when running alone.
