GUELPH – Thousands of people across Canada and the world will lace up their running shoes for a 3km trek to celebrate gender equality and safe and inclusive spaces on March 8.
The sixth annual Secret 3K is an International Women’s Day event that brings people together to support “everyone’s right to run free,” officials stated.
This year is the first time the Secret 3K will happen in person in Guelph.
International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate women’s achievements, advocate for women’s rights and reflect on issues impacting women.
The Secret 3K is inspired by the documentary The Secret Marathon, which tells the story of the first women in Afghanistan to run a marathon.
Co-director and producer Kate McKenzie said she “was inspired by such brave women and girls who fought for equality and at times, risked their lives for the freedom to run outdoors” while filming the documentary in Afghanistan.
“When I returned to Canada, I was struck by the stories of so many women who told me they didn’t feel safe to walk or run at night right here in Canada.”
McKenzie said the Secret 3K was launched to “reclaim safe public spaces and champion gender equality here at home.”
The route, date and starting locations of the original run, the 2015 Marathon of Afghanistan, had to be kept a secret to guarantee the safety of all the participants,” organizers write.
The Secret 3K route is kept secret as a reminder “that there are people everyday who face great risks doing something as simple as running or walking.”
This year, the Secret 3K will happen in person in Langley, Calgary, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, St. John’s, and Guelph.
People can also participate virtually.
“The Secret 3K has always had both a local and global focus,” said Tarra Williamson, national co-director. “So having every province across Canada participate for one global message of removing barriers for women through sport has been incredibly inspiring.”
In Guelph the Secret 3K starts at 85 York Rd. at 6:30pm. There will be swag bags from the City of Guelph and Barres and Bells, and Tara Hedican will be the opener and guest speaker.
Hedican is an Anishnaabe athlete, coach, mother, and PhD candidate featured in the Guelph sports hall of fame. She is the 2001 World Junior Wrestling Champion and recipient of the Tom Longboat Award which is presented to outstanding First Nations athletes.
The Secret 3K partners with the Running Room and raises money for various charities: Afghan Sports Trust, 261 Fearless and Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. For more information or to register visit www.secret3k.com. For the virtual race visit the Secret 3K Facebook page.
