Before the Marathon of Afghanistan, Free to Run sponsored a very special event called, Autumn Sports Week. A group of young women, from multiple provinces in Afghanistan, took part in a week of educational events that was designed to develop both athletic and leadership skills. A very special team of trainers was assembled that included environmentalists, professional athletes, Free to Run Ambassadors, representatives from the UN, and more.

As the sun started to shine on the Bamyan cliffs, runners lined up for the 42 km race kickoff. This is the only official Marathon of Afghanistan. The race was organized by the adventure company Untamed Borders and it’s the second time they’ve hosted this unique event. The race had clearly grown in size and recognition. While many of the runners were returning contenders, the number of participants grew from under 100 to over 200.

This August, 80 young adults participated in Free to Run’s Mazar-e-Sharif Race. Mazar-e-Sharif is the third largest city of Afghanistan and the capital of the Balkh province. 40 females and 40 males competed in either a 21k, or a full 42k marathon starting at dawn. The athletes hailed from several community groups including the Mazar Olympic Team, Skateistan, and the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. 

From 2-9 May, Masoumeh (Mahsa) Torabi, a Free to Run Ambassador based in Iran, will be competing in the first mixed gender race in the country in 38 years. The Iranian Silk Road Ultramarathon (ISRU), organized by the Extreme Races Organization  in collaboration with the Iranian government, is a multi-day stage race in the Dasht-e-Lut Desert, one of the most inhospitable climates on earth.

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Almost 50 years later, on April 9th 2016, Masoumeh (Mahsa) Torabi followed in Kathrine’s trail-blazing footsteps by running in the first international marathon in Iran, which was only open to male entries. This is Mahsa’s account of why she ran. 

Free to Run Board Chair, Connie Schneider, was part of a group of mentors who accompanied Afghanistan’s first mixed-gender ultramarathon team in Sri Lanka. They competed in a 250 km / 155-mile, 7-day self-supported stage race in which participants had to carry all of the supplies needed for the race. To hear about Connie’s experience is nothing but inspiring — and it puts running in perspective. We caught up with Connie and asked her to describe how she got involved with this cause and what she learned from this race. 

My name is Mahdi, which is an Islamic name, and my last name means ‘hopeful’. When I was a kid I used to run, but then when the security got bad I couldn’t run for  many years. I was always dreaming when I was small that maybe one day I would be in a team and have partners and friends who would be at the same level and always help me in my life. Finally, my dream came true and I started running with my friends in the mountains.

Completing an ultramarathon is an extreme challenge even with the best preparation. For three young athletes training in Afghanistan, it is almost impossible. For the last few months, Kubra, Arzoo and Mahdi have been battling insecurity, street harassment and pollution as they run through the streets and hills around Kabul. In February, they will attempt to become the first mixed gender team from Afghanistan to participate in an international running event.

The Guardian featured Zainab, a Free to Run participant, who was the first female to complete a marathon in Afghanistan. In 2015, the race and Zainab were ground-breaking. It was the first international marathon in the country, and she was the first female to finish a marathon, ever. Free to Run Founder, Stephanie Case, and Board Member, Virginie Goethals , ran side by side with Zainab throughout the marathon route.

After days of snow, rain, mud, oppressive heat and one really big sandstorm, Team Asma'i is the first Afghan women's team to officially complete an ultramarathon. What an incredible accomplishment and proud moment for the entire Free to Run community! You can see their entire 250K journey in this amazing video coverage.

In case there was any ever doubt, I’m delighted to announce that Team Asma’i has broken the back of the Gobi March: we smashed the long stage, finishing this morning at 8am after 80 km, 24 hours, multiple emotional breakdowns and temperatures in the mid 40sC. Yesterday, last night and this morning, Nelofar and Zainab proved that they were Free to Run, and showed all of us that Afghan women are capable of ANYTHING!

Nelofar and Zainab have pushed their way through day four - 160km done! Only the long stage to go and then a victory run to the finish! After quite a tough and emotional day yesterday, I think we all needed a bit of a mental break today. Thankfully, other than a brief period of wind and rain, the weather cooperated. In fact, it did a 180 and we found ourselves fighting off dehydration in 35C+ weather for most of the day!

Today Team Asma'i overcame immense challenges and came together during some really dark moments...but it certainly wasn't easy. It was another slow start, but we were confident that Nelo and Zainab would pick up speed once we got warmed up. The scenery was stunning as the path followed along the Tian Shan mountains. Unfortunately, however, just when we were getting into our stride, the heavens opened up and it started to pour. And pour. And pour.

Today was a day of extreme lows and highs...but what a strong finish! Day two is done! After another cold night in the yurt, Team Asma'i lined up to begin the 40 km stage two. While it was sunny and warm when we first woke up, by the time it hit 8am, it was snowy down pretty hard. No one really wanted to believe that we would have TWO days of bad weather, so we just layered up and told each other that the snow would end soon.

Team Asma'I has finished day one intact!  But it was a much tougher day than we were anticipating. After a very chilly and sleepless night at camp, we woke up this morning to discover that the mountains around us had been covered in snow overnight. What a sight! We were all a bit in disbelief that race day had finally come. After six months of training - and perhaps a lifetime of dreaming - we finally made it to the start line. It was go time.

Free to Run is currently supporting two Afghan women in their efforts to compete in the Gobi March 2015, a 250 kilometer, 7-day self supported footrace which is part of the 4 Deserts Race Series. Nelofar and Zainab will be sharing their progress with us through a weekly blog. Read on to find out about their training, share in their successes, and learn about the immense challenges they face as women in Afghanistan… and please join us in cheering them on.

In a country where women risk their safety simply walking alone, two women are training for a self-supported, seven-day race across the Chinese desert. Two Afghan women, along with Free to Run founder Stephanie Case, comprise the first-ever Afghan ultramarathon team. Their first appearance will be at the Gobi March 2015, a 250 kilometer, 7-day self-supported foot race which is part of the 4 Deserts Race Series.