IN THE WESTERN WORLD, WE OFTEN TAKE OUR FREEDOM TO RUN FOR GRANTED. BUT IN OTHER NATIONS AND CULTURES, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS STILL VERY MUCH OFF LIMITS FOR WOMEN. MEET THREE COURAGEOUS RUNNERS WHO ARE PEACEFULLY PROMOTING POSITIVE CHANGE, SOMETIMES RISKING EVERYTHING FOR THEIR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORT

WORDS: CLAIRE CHAMBERLAIN

Whether we realise it or not, as women who run, we make a powerful statement about who we are and what we’re capable of every time we exercise. A quick glance back to the not-so-distant past proves just how much women have battled stereotypes and male-domination within sport. Just 50 years ago, for example, women were banned from marathons because we were deemed too fragile. Trailblazers, including Kathrine Switzer (who became the first woman to officially run the all-male Boston Marathon in 1967), fearlessly pushed the boundaries of what was considered appropriate for female runners, paving the way for more of us to compete freely.

However, while we are now afforded freedom to run in Western cultures, restrictions are still very much in place for women wanting to participate in other nations around the world.

Stephanie Case, founder of Free To Run (freetorun.org), is passionate about removing global stereotypes. A human rights lawyer, Stephanie moved to Afghanistan in 2012, where she experienced first-hand just how difficult it was to train under extreme physical conditions. “I began to appreciate how integral running was to my wellbeing, self-confidence and sense of self,” she says. Determined to keep running, she started training for three ultramarathons, to raise money for a shelter in Kabul for women who had suffered domestic violence.

“I thought this was the best way I’d be able to help others during my time in Afghanistan. But after getting to know the women at the shelter, I learned they really didn’t care about the fundraising – they wanted to run the races themselves. Of course!