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March 1, 2024
To draw attention to how difficult it is for women to run outside feeling completely free and safe, NGO Free to Run is holding “The Safe Marathon” starting on March 8, International Women’s Day.
The virtual event is open to anyone interested in raising visibility to help more women feel safe on the streets. Participants are asked to run in a private space, described as “…quite literally, somewhere that isn’t public. It could be your living room, your hallway, your garden – even your office! We just ask that it’s somewhere you feel completely safe when running.”
According to a 2023 Adidas study, 92% of women feel unsafe when running outdoors and 38% of women have experienced harassment while running in public. The organization therefore created the marathon to “show the world what it’s like running in their shoes.” Participants can choose between five distances and have 48 hours to complete the race. Distance tracking can be done via phone apps or by sharing the route a runner has taken with the organization.
“Running outdoors is a pleasure not everyone can enjoy freely. Especially if you’re a woman. Together, we can change the course of history. Join us in raising visibility for the importance of safety, by taking part in the #SAFEMARATHON,” states the event webpage.
Free to Run advances gender equity globally through running, adventure sports and rights-based programs. The 2020 Beyond Sport Global Award winner for Sport for Peace and Social Justice believes that the free, full and equal participation of all women and girls is fundamental to resolving conflict and promoting peace. It works to increase opportunities for marginalized women and girls aged 15-25 in areas of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Through a combination of sports programs, life skills development and community outreach, it helps young women reclaim public spaces and change views about the roles they can, and should, play in a society. Programs are designed to develop community leaders who can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines.
“We talk often about creating safe spaces for young women in conflict areas like Iraq and Afghanistan to run – but the truth is that women are unsafe running all over the world. The #SAFEMARATHON is about safety, visibility and freedom. Join our global movement this International Women’s Day. Sign up to raise awareness of women’s safety and show the world just how hard it is to run in a private, safe space,” the NGO posted on Instagram.
100% of all funds raised from The Safe Marathon will go to programs that address gender inequality and empower young women to become leaders with Free to Run.
Learn more and register at safemarathon.freetorun.org.
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