Running for Freedom at the New York City Marathon: Hasina
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 Hasina’s Story.
HASINA’S STORY
Hasina's journey began in Afghanistan in 1995, where she was born into a family of six in the province of Herat. She spent her formative years in Kabul, the nation's capital, witnessing a time of positive transformation in the country. Early on, Hasina's love for sports led her to join her school's volleyball team, a passion she pursued for five years. Following her graduation, she secured a spot on the Afghanistan National Volleyball Team and after passing her university entrance exam, Hasina studied Physical Education for two years. Balancing her studies with volleyball training on the weekends, she completed her education in 2016. It was during this time that she embraced the opportunity to participate in a 7-day hiking trip for young women in Bamyan, organized by Free to Run, marking her initial involvement with the organization.
Hasina first heard about Free to Run and the hike through a close classmate. Convincing her parents to allow her to embark on this journey became her mission and despite the security concerns in Afghanistan, her parents eventually granted her the independence to travel on her own for the first time. After this hiking experience, Hasina also participated in a 10km race with Free to Run that year. By 2018, she had secured a position as a program officer within the organization.
Her path was not without its challenges. In Afghanistan, she faced negative reactions and comments due to her involvement in sports. Although her parents were initially apprehensive, their concerns were rooted not in her gender, but in the country's precarious security situation and worries about Hasina’s safety. Local harassment and threats were common occurrences in her life.
“As an Afghan girl, I was harassed and warned a lot by local people. They had told me very mean things that made my goals and my dreams hard to pursue. I remember telling me things like: “ What are you wearing?” or “Do not come here anymore!” Frankly, I was terrified of these people because they could do anything from physical harassment to even kidnapping. But the desire for my dreams was stronger than my fears.”
Hasina says her life has been profoundly impacted by Free to Run. She acquired valuable skills that improved her performance in sports and life, including long-distance running, understanding gender equality, and fostering an open-minded culture. Her running journey includes participating in marathons in Bamyan, an ultra-marathon in Mongolia, and several 5K and 10K races. Runner’s World covered some of her ultramarathon training journey in 2018. She also formed lasting friendships and connections with remarkable individuals.
“There are always those things that happen in your life and change your life forever. For me, Free to Run is just like that. I always think of my life without getting involved with Free to Run, and that is how I understand how deep the roots are. During these years with Free to Run, I learned how to find myself, how to live, and how to pass everlasting barriers. Through each sport activity that I have done with Free to Run, I realized how physically and mentally strong I could be.”
Escaping her homeland due to safety concerns after the Taliban takeover in 2021, Hasina found herself in Ontario, Canada, facing the difficult challenges of adapting to a new life away from family, friends, and community. Running has become an integral part of her life, providing not only physical fitness but also mental solace and the ability to push her boundaries.
Her dream of running the New York City Marathon is now becoming a reality, and she trains diligently each day in preparation. While she feels sadness for Afghan girls who cannot run, she remains hopeful and motivated, knowing that her participation sends a message of support and solidarity. For Hasina, running the New York City Marathon represents more than a personal achievement. It symbolizes her dedication to the Afghan girls who cannot pursue their dreams due to the current circumstances. She eagerly anticipates the race day, where she will proudly represent Afghanistan and Afghan girls.
Today, Hasina continues to work part-time as a Program Manager for Free to Run, supporting girls and young women still in Afghanistan. Her future goals include running marathons in different countries, such as the World Championship Marathon, Boston Marathon, Paris Marathon, and Berlin Marathon. She also aspires to run another ultramarathon and hopes to inspire more Afghan girls to embrace sports and running.
Hasina is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon, knowing that her journey can pave the way for other Afghan girls to achieve their dreams. Her dedication to Free to Run's mission and her passion for running exemplify her commitment to empowering girls and young women through sports.
“I am eager to share my experience and give this achievement of running the New York City Marathon to Afghan girls who dream of running, but just can not do so right now.”
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.
