Running for Freedom at the New York City Marathon: Fatima
Since 2021 the Taliban has denied girls and women in Afghanistan their basic human rights, including the right to attend school, to walk in public, or to access rights-based services. The ban on women in sports was another heartbreaking setback but a team of Free to Run Alumni from Afghanistan - Fatima, Hasina, and Zahra - will boldly represent Afghanistan this year at the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. Here is Fatima’s Story.
FATIMA’S STORY
Fatima’s family is originally from a small village in Bamyan, located in the central part of Afghanistan. Born in Iran as a refugee, she and her siblings spent their early years grappling with the challenges of being a minority and refugees. Returning to Afghanistan in 2001 after the Taliban's first withdrawal, Fatima embarked on a path of education, driven by a hunger for knowledge and a sense of responsibility. She secured scholarships that allowed her to study in private schools in Kabul and later pursue her bachelor's degree in Bangladesh, where she first tasted the sweetness of freedom.
Her intersectional identity as a member of a minority group, coupled with the patriarchal society she grew up in, led to continued discrimination, marginalization, and a sense of lost identity. It was five years later, when she returned from Bangladesh to Kabul, that Fatima crossed paths with Free to Run.
At 25 years old, a fresh graduate, and a consultant at the Asia Foundation, Fatima encountered Free to Run staff during a Women's Day event in March 2018. The idea of girls running freely on the streets, a simple act she had been forbidden to do, intrigued her. She reached out via email, and in a few months, she found herself running with the Free to Run team within the confines of a military compound. Running in such spaces provided her with a sense of security that she cherished. She not only ran but also contributed to Free to Run as a volunteer, assisting with translation and nutrition classes.
While her family supported her decision to join Free to Run as they were used to her revolutionary ideas, they were cautious due to the fears of relatives and the whispers of the community. Fatima had her own fears too; running alone was nearly impossible, and she relied on the presence of her group mates and specific locations and times to feel safe. Street harassment was rampant in Kabul, and she couldn't fathom running alone, especially in her own neighborhood.
Fatima says that participating in Free to Run’s programs was one of the biggest blessings she had in her time in Afghanistan. Running with her fellow women athletes and completing a marathon taught her the value of teamwork, and she made friends that she is still connected to today. Through running, she overcame personal traumas and challenges, finding solace, patience, and endurance. Free to Run also offered valuable workshops on mental health, nutrition, and leadership.
“I was given a dream, like running the NYC Marathon one day. I learned some of the best feelings in life can be gained through sweat, tears, consistency, and challenging myself. ”
Leaving Afghanistan in 2021 and being separated from her family has been challenging for Fatima, as she continues to face issues related to immigration, belonging, dealing with multiple identities, and adapting to a new system that is not built for her. She misses running with her Afghan friends, reflecting that “running with them was like going through a journey, we all had the same satisfaction from exercise coming from the same background.”
Today, running is an integral part of Fatima's life, providing a sense of home and happiness. It helps her forget her problems, releases the pressures of life, and fosters an active lifestyle. Her training for the New York City Marathon is progressing well, with a focus on covering distances comfortably and avoiding injuries. Running the NYC Marathon holds a special place in Fatima's heart. It represents a dream come true, a challenge, and a milestone. She is excited to experience the enthusiastic crowds and to run alongside other participants who share her journey.
In the past, Fatima has participated in the Bamyan Marathon in Afghanistan and a few half marathons in Afghanistan and the US. Being part of a team of runners from Afghanistan for Free to Run in the New York City Marathon is both an honor and a responsibility. Fatima views it as an opportunity to represent her country and inspire girls and women who face similar challenges.
“When I used to run in Afghanistan, due to life circumstances and how things were, I did not have most of the things I have now. We would try to finish our training in small running paths and compounds barely a few kilometers… We did not have energy gels or electrolytes. But we were running very happily and never missed a training session. I do miss some running sessions now, being away from my community and friends and although I have better resources now, I do get discouraged sometimes and I feel it is important to share how much I miss my family and I am having a lot of low moments. The news from Afghanistan can be disappointing and discouraging but every time I remember the NYC Marathon and why I have signed up for it I get encouraged to get up and run.”
Currently based in the Maryland/DC area, Fatima has graduated with a master's degree in Women and Gender Studies as a Fulbright Scholar. She works at George Washington University, where she focuses on helping others through education. In her free time, she enjoys running and writing, with plans to write a book based on her experiences in Afghanistan and as a refugee. She aspires to continue her volunteer work in girls' education in Afghanistan and inspire women to pursue their dreams.
As Fatima reflects on her journey and the significance of running in her life, she says she runs not because she loves long-distance running, but because it challenges her and helps her reclaim her freedom. Fatima runs to seek freedom and feels it in her aching body, in her tears, and in her core. She runs to honor the girls and women in Afghanistan and other countries who lack the freedom to move. It is her way of paying her debt and preparing for something bigger, for she knows it all starts with her.
If you would like to show your support for Hasina, Fatima and Zahra, please consider making a donation to Free to Run on their Justgiving Page.
