Free to Run is a non-profit operating in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine, with a mission to advance gender equity globally through running. Free to Run's rights-based programs use running as a tool to empower girls and young women in conflict areas - helping them to become leaders in their communities and to challenge traditional views of the roles women can and should play. Meet Ruhev and Rania, two Free to Run athletes that agreed to share their story with us. You can read the full interviews here.

Rania

Rania currently lives in Sinjar, Iraq and is training for long distance races. During the war against ISIS, her family was forced to take refuge in the Sinjar Mountains where they had no access to food, water, or shelter for 10 days. They returned to Sinjar four years later to find their town in ruins. Free to Run has given Rania the freedom to be a part of a supportive and inspiring community. “We don’t give up, there is always hope.”

Ruhev

Ruhev is 17 years old from Syria training for the International Marathon of Ebril. Ruhev was forced to seek refuge in Ebril, Iraq at 5 years old due to the war in Syria. Free to Run has shown Ruhev the power of running and how it can lead to increased confidence in a country with limited women’s rights.