As we step into February, Free to Run's Iraq team has been gearing up for an eventful 2024. The spotlight is on the Community Development Leaders, a group of incredible young women who participated in Free to Run programs in 2023 and have now been selected to take on leadership and mentorship roles.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadine, our Free to Run coach in Erbil, Iraq

These are the thoughts of a group of young women who have participated in the Omid mindfulness and strength-training program in Afghanistan this year, and wanted to share their experience.

Like many, we’ve had marathons on our minds lately at Free to Run, and we’re thrilled to share some inspiring news with you.

October 27 marked a momentous day as 43 dedicated runners participated in the Erbil Marathon in Iraq. The team had trained diligently all year, eagerly awaiting the chance to test their limits across various distances at the event.

Free to Run is proud to announce the launch of its 2023 Ambassador program and we're seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team of change-makers. Our ambassadors serve as advocates and ambassadors in their communities, promoting the mission of Free to Run and supporting girls and young women in some of the world's most challenging environments.

Run the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon with Free to Run

Free to Run has been named as an Official Charity Partner for New York Road Runners’ 2023 TCS NYC Marathon. We are thrilled to field a team of runners for the 8th time.

Free to Run will continue offering hyper-local programming in Afghanistan, despite new policy announcements by the Taliban that ban women from attending work at NGOs. Girls’ and young women of Afghanistan need mental/physical health support through embodied experience more than ever.

A new opportunity to bring joy and reprieve to Afghan girls in crisis through physical activity

Free to Run, the film, has just been released by The North Face and we’re incredibly proud to share this with our entire community. It documents the dramatic journey of Zeinab and Zahra - two leaders from our program who left Afghanistan as the Taliban took control of the country. The film also captures Stephanie’s emotional journey leading the evacuations of our team members and then racing in a 450K ultra just a few short weeks later.

Six months ago, in August 2021 , Free to Run faced its toughest race yet. You, our global community, rose to support us. Your generosity and kind messages encouraged us through some of the longest nights and darkest hours any of our staff can recall. We are so thankful and would like to share updates on where a few of our evacuated Afghan staff are today, despite losing their homeland and possessions, as a result of that support.

Free to Run began seven years ago as an ‘impossible’ idea. Women and girls running outside in areas of conflict seemed crazy to many. I wasn't even sure if it would work. The challenges seemed insurmountable at times, but the voices of the women and girls, for whom Free to Run was designed, could not be ignored. In many ways, 2021 felt like we were returning to those impossible early times.