MARCH 6 - 8, 2027
A free global running event for International Women’s Day
5K | 10K | HALF MARATHON | MARATHON | CHOOSE YOUR OWN DISTANCE
Choose your distance. Run wherever you are. Join runners around the world standing for every woman’s freedom to move.
The Safe Marathon is hosted by Free to Run and open to everyone, of every gender, pace and level of running experience.
MAKE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY YOUR RACE DAY
On International Women’s Day, runners around the world will take part in The Safe Marathon, completing a distance of their choice in a place that feels safe to them.
You might race against the clock or enjoy a relaxed run with people you love. You can head outside, use a treadmill or create your own course close to home. However you take part, your run will stand for something bigger: a world in which every woman is free to run.
In 2026, 640 runners in 40 countries across six continents took part in the Safe Marathon.
Join us in 2027.
HOW IT WORKS
SIGN UP
Register online to sign up for the race, and start planning a race that feels “safe” to you.
CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE
Take on 5km, 10km, a half marathon or a marathon. Or, you can choose a distance that is meaningful for you.
COMPLETE YOUR RUN
Complete your race during March 6-8, 2027, wherever you are in the world.
UPLOAD YOUR RESULTS
Track your race using your preferred app or device, then submit your results online.
There is no entry fee required to participate in the Safe Marathon, but there is the option to make a donation when you sign up. 100% of all funds raised support Free to Run, a non-profit organization with a mission to advance gender equity globally through running.
RUN IT YOUR WAY
There is no single definition of a “safe” run. Only you can decide what feels safe for you. It might mean:
YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL ROUTE
A TREADMILL OR INDOOR TRACK
A GROUP RUN WITH YOUR RUN CLUB
A CREATIVE COURSE CLOSE TO HOME
The Safe Marathon is not about telling women to take more precautions. It is about recognizing why those precautions are so often necessary and standing together for change.
THE FREEDOM TO MOVE IS NOT SHARED EQUALLY
92%
A 2023 global study by Adidas found that 92% of women feel concerned for their safety when running, and over half fear physical attack
68%
In a 2024 University of Manchester study, 68% of women had experienced intimidating incidents while running, such as verbal abuse or being followed
84%
In Queensland, Australia, 84% of women say they feel unsafe walking or running alone at night
The figures differ between places, but the pattern is global. Women’s access to public space is restricted by harassment, fear and the constant work of trying to stay safe.
The Safe Marathon invites runners of every gender to make that inequality visible and stand for a shared expectation: every woman should be free to run.
PREVIOUS SAFE MARATHONS
YOUR RUN IS PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Free to Run advances gender equity globally through running.
In conflict-affected communities, we support girls and young women to build the confidence and support they need to lead change in their lives and communities. We also move people around the world to run and take action for gender equity. The Safe Marathon is one way to join that growing global movement.
Simply running The Safe Marathon adds your voice. If you choose to donate or set up a fundraising page for this event, the money you raise will directly support Free to Run’s programs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a different question? Email us at info@freetorun.org!
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Not at all. Despite the name, you do not have to run 42.2km. Choose 5K, 10K, a half marathon, a marathon, or even set your own distance. You can walk, jog, run, or combine all three. The Safe Marathon is about taking part, not how far or fast you go.
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The Safe Marathon is NOT about telling women to take more safety precautions. It’s about recognizing why these precautions are necesssary and standing together for change.
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Only if you want it to be. You can set a time goal, run at a relaxed pace or complete your distance with other people. There is no single winner.
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Everyone is welcome, whatever your gender, running experience, or location. The Safe Marathon brings people of all genders together on International Women’s Day to stand for a world where every woman and girl can move safely and freely.
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Registration is free. You will have the option to make a donation or create a fundraising page when you sign up, but both are completely optional. Every donation supports Free to Run’s work to advance gender equity globally through running.
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The Safe Marathon is a virtual event, so you can participate wherever you are in the world. Complete your distance anytime between March 6 and March 8, 2027 - in your local time zone. You do not need to run at the same time as anyone else.
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That is completely up to you. Your Safe Marathon could take place on a familiar route during daylight, with a group, around your backyard, on a closed track, with your dog, or on a treadmill indoors. One past participant even ran in a dinosaur costume. Choose the place and conditions that feel “safest” for you, or that draw attention to the safety considerations women and girls around the world face. But please note - we will never ask you to put yourself at risk to participate.
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The Safe Marathon is not chip-timed, and you do not need Strava or any particular device. You can track your distance and time using a watch, phone, running app, treadmill display, or another method that works for you. We will send you a simple online form to submit your result.
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Absolutely. Run with friends, family, colleagues, a school, or your local running club. We ask each participant to register individually so they receive their own race information and can submit their result.
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You will receive a confirmation email, your Safe Marathon race bib to print at home, event updates, and a social media toolkit - should you wish to share your Safe Marathon experience. Closer to the event, we will also send you instructions for submitting your results.
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No. You choose what information you share. Please do not post an exact route or live location if doing so could compromise your safety. Free to Run may use broad information, such as participants’ countries, to show the global reach of the event, but we will not publish your precise route or location without your permission.
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Share your Safe Marathon using #SafeMarathon and tag @freetorunngo on Instagram. You can also join the Free to Run Strava club to connect with runners around the world. Sharing publicly and joining Strava are both optional.
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Yes! If you would like to host a Safe Marathon event that’s open to the public, please email our team at info@freetorun.org so we can add it to our list of events. To find an evetn near you, check out thesafemarathon.org/public-events!
