WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 AT 6:30
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY ACROSS CANADA
WALK/RUN FOR WOMENS RIGHTS
IN PETERBOROUGH: THE RUNNING ROOM, 210 HUNTER STREET W
REGISTRATION IS $15 AT 5:30 AT THE RUNNING ROOM
OR ONLINE AT THE RUNNING ROOM SECRET MARATHON 3K
Psst! Want to know a secret? On March 7 in Peterborough you can lend your voice -- and legs - to the fight for women's freedom to run!
The “Secret Marathon3K”, a three-kilometre walk/run will take place, beginning at the Running Room store on Hunter Street at 6:30 p.m. March 7 – the eve of International Women’s Day – to celebrate the freedom to run, gender equality and safe spaces for women.
It will also raise funds for the local chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAFghan) to support the education of women and their families in Afghanistan.
Similar runs will take place at the same time at Running Room stores in 10 Canadian cities.
The event is the brainchild of two Canadians, Martin Parnell and Kate McKenzie, who recently filmed a documentary in Afghanistan about that country's first official marathon and the brave women who ventured to run alongside men in a nation where it is culturally unacceptable for women to ride a bike, go for a run, and, often, pursue an education.
These remarkable women are changing those traditions as they experience of thrill of running and the empowerment that comes with it.
The event is named after the documentary about the Marathon of Afghanistan where the route is kept secret to avoid violent attacks. Pre-race secrecy about the timing and location is vital as Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are a constant deadly threat — particularly when women dare to take part alongside men. Training, even, requires secret routes and times due to the threats of insults and stoning.
Parnell and McKenzie were inspired to make a difference in Canada when they realized there are those here who don’t feel safe to go for a run or walk at night. There is inequality and risk facing many women today as they try to do something as basic as running and walking in their neighbourhoods.
"In Afghanistan we witnessed something really special," said McKenzie, co-director of The Secret Marathon Documentary. "Women and men came together in solidarity, under extremely difficult circumstances, to support the right that all humans should have to walk or run free of fear in their community."
“Many women both here in Canada and in Afghanistan don't feel safe to run at night or alone and we want to change that by bringing our community together to celebrate everyone's right to be free to run or walk in their community,” she said.
Funds will also be donated to aid the completion of The Secret Marathon film which will allow the story of Afghan girls and women running for freedom to be shared across Canada. It is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2018.
QUICK FACTS
Time and Place: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Running Room, 210 Hunter St W Peterborough.
5:30 p.m. Registration, Walk/run start 6:30 p.m.
You can register online a : https://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=14758 OR ON THE EVENING OF THE RACE.
Cost: $15.00
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