Marathon of Afghanistan 2016…
Afghanistan’s first and only mixed gender sporting event. Unfortunately a short story…
What WAS the Marathon of Afghanistan? Have a look underneath…
The inaugural marathon took place in October 2015 and was the first international marathon to be run in Afghanistan. Around 120 runners took part in the marathon and associated 10km race, including Zainab who became the first Afghan woman in history to complete a marathon within her own country.
Zainab’s story is also told in this article by the Guardian.
The Marathon of Afghanistan is a non-profit organisation and the race is free to enter for all Afghan runners. All race entry fees collected from international runners are used to help fund the cost of arranging the marathon. All international staff working for the marathon, including the Race Director, are dedicated volunteers and receive no remuneration for their hard work. The travel costs to Afghanistan are met from their personal funds and this ensures 100% of the money raised goes to where it is needed most.
We are also trying to raise money to make the event bigger in 2016 to allow more Afghan runners (male and female, from all ethnic groups) to compete. Details on that fundraising program
- Visit our Facebook page for more photos on the event and regular updates
- See other media reports from the first Marathon of Afghanistan in Runner’s World, The Guardian, Radio Free Europe and The Daily Mail
- Check out the work done by Free 2 Run, a non-profit organisation that provides sports
opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan and other areas affected by conflict. We have worked closely with them in arranging the Marathon of Afghanistan. The Central Highlands Region where the marathon takes place serves as the centre of Free to Run’s programs, which include hiking clubs for female students at the high school and university level. Through running, fitness and outdoor adventure, Free to Run seeks to empower women and girls, changing lives and communities along the way. Zainab, who became the first