Last Friday, a group of female athletes were told at the very last minute that they could not take part in the Tehran marathon.

160 women registered to compete in the 26 mile race, however, after receiving an email three weeks before the event was due to take place, many were left concerned as to the likelihood of their participation.

The female participants were informed that they would not be taking part, as men and women cannot participate in sports together in Iran.

Race organisers continued to provide participants with confusing updates and rule changes up to two days before the race, leaving many of the female runners unsure if they would be taking part.

On the morning of the race, it finally emerged that female participants could take part in a 10- kilometre run, but not the half or full marathon.

Those runners who still wished to complete the full distance had to do so on an indoor sports track.

Speaking to The Independent, professional runner, Manal Adel Rostom, told how she was turned away the day before the event after trying to collect her runner's bib, leaving her to believe her €125 race entry fee had been completely wasted.

“It was totally chaotic, even the runners' numbers had been mixed up. I was arguing and arguing with the registration guy because I came all the way from Dubai for a marathon, not a 10K.”

Many runners travelled long distances to take part in the race and so, not satisfied with the abrupt rule change, a group of 12 Iranian and international female entrants decided to run their own secret marathon.

The ladies ran in 700 metre loops around Beheshte Madaran park, for 32 kilometres before joining the official women's 10K race at 4pm.  

Karin Brogtrop, a Dutch runner involved in the secret race described the experience.

“It was a really lovely experience. It was a women’s park but it was family day, so there were men there too. People kept offering us tea or running alongside us,” Ms Brogtrop said. “We had fun. I was happy with it.” 

Many of the female runners in the official 10K carried bibs and banners saying ‘See you next year, 42K.’

G'wan ladies! 

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