Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon participants and charity Timatanga Hou board members at one of the training sessions at Cornwall Park in Auckland on 20 October, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Isra'a Emhail
The inaugural Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon this weekend is empowering Afghani women, who came to New Zealand after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The run continues the legacy of a history-making marathon, dubbed 'The Secret Marathon' in Afghanistan in 2015.
It was labelled "The Secret Marathon" because the details had to remain hidden until the last moment to prevent the women being targeted.
The Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon follows that legacy by allowing Afghani women a chance to run free from fear.
Amir Foladi and Amina Hasanpur are board members of the New Beginnings Foundation which has organised the race.
They moved to New Zealand with their families following the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
