Thank you for joining us for the Secret 3K!
You’re making a difference by joining us as we run, walk and work together for equality. Check out all the fun ways you can make your race day experience even better!
Click on the Race Bib image to download and print off so you can wear it proudly while participating! Take a photo with your race bib on and post it with #Secret3K or share to info@Secret3K.com
Click on the Completion Certificate image to download and print it off. Take a photo with your certificate and post it with #Secret 3K or share to info@Secret3K.com
Location Information
All events will take place on March 6th unless otherwise stated.
MARQUEE LOCATIONS
CALGARY, AB
Running Room- Eau Claire Market - 200 Barclay Parade SW Unit A01
Paid parking available nearby in Impark 177 (underground) and Impark 179 (surface lot) or free street parking in area
Warm-up with EMF Fitness
Jenny Howe from CBC Homestretch is our Race Official with Jaclyn Brock, National Race Director as Host
Special Guests: Kate McKenzie & Martin Parnell
Dress warmly and plan to be outside for duration
Refreshments sponsored by Luke’s Drugmart
Door prizes sponsored by Running Room, Bontanist and Village Ice-cream
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
GUELPH, ON
85 York Rd.
Ashley Burr to give opening remarks
*Warm food sponsored by Women That Give
*Swag bags sponsored by Visit Guelph, FCSGW, Moonlight Yoga, One Tooth Apparel and Barres and Bells
*Door prizes sponsored by Running Room, Barres&Bells, Moonlight Yoga and One Tooth Apparel. Be registered by March 5th to be entered. You need to be in person on race day to claim. Winners will be announced then.
* Parking available at the Boathouse/Tea Room parking lot and walk over the covered bridge and join us on the other side. If that is busy you can park at the Goodness Me/Running Works Parking lot across the street and then walk over the bridge. The Bridge is accessible, there is a ramp on either side.
St. John’s ambulance will be there on site too for anyone that might need them.
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
MEET-UP LOCATIONS
SASKATOON, SK
Victoria Park
Colin Scheyen Hosting with Charity Partner, 30 Birds
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
LETHBRIDGE, AB
Nicholas Sheran Lake
Nicolas Crespo Hosting with Rotary and University of Lethbridge
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
TORONTO, ON
Ramsden Park (1020 Yonge Street)
Meet at the Gibson Avenue park entrance.
Hosted by Kelly Barrington and 261 Fearless Toronto
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:00 PM
OTTAWA, ON
Running Room, 901 Bank St.
Parking is available on street or at Landsdowne
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
KINGSTON, ON
Running Room, 255 Princess St.
Parking available along Princess street or side streets (Clergy, Barrie, Montreal). Parking lot accessible at Queen and Montreal
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
YW Calgary
1715 – 17 Avenue SE, Lobby of Main Floor
*Please note this location is hosted on March 5th*
Refreshments provided following run/walk
Donations may be made to YW Calgary at this site
Parking available in lot east of YW Building or at Pearce Estate Park
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 5:00 PM
PICKERING, ON
134 Woodview Dr.
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:30PM
Surrey, BC
Ray Shepherd Elementary, 1650 136 St
*Street Parking Only
RUN/WALK STARTS AT 6:00PM
Get Inspired
You can now view The Secret Marathon film from anywhere in the world and see the story that inspired the creation of the Secret 3K. We encourage you to watch it before your run/walk. Watch the full feature length film today at https://vimeo.com/thesecretmarathon/
Today we are joining together with others around the world to support everyone’s right to be free to run. Today we will each be wearing our Equality race bibs to show the kind of future we want - one where everyone feels safe and included in our community.
This event would not be possible without the support of The Secret Marathon film, Running Room and our charity partners Afghan Sports Trust, 261 Fearless and 30 Birds. We have raised over $6,000 this year which will help women and girls to access education and sport both locally and globally. Thank you for your generosity.
Secret 3K is an opportunity to celebrate everyone’s right to be free to walk and run in their community. It was first inspired by the Marathon of Afghanistan. This marathon had to keep their route secret to avoid being the target of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. Yet it was the first co-gender sporting event to ever be held in Afghanistan. Despite the challenges, women and men who participated in the Marathon showed the kind of future they wanted for their country. This story inspired two Canadian runners, Martin Parnell and Kate McKenzie to go over to support the Marathon of Afghanistan and to create a documentary film about their journey called The Secret Marathon.
When they returned to Canada and started sharing about their experience, many Canadians could hardly believe that there were places in the world where people were not safe or free to run outside. One of the women Martin and Kate met was named Zainab. When Zainab tried to run outside but people threw rocks at her, insulted her and she even received threats from terrorists so she had to train for the 42km Marathon by doing laps around her enclosed courtyard, a space not much larger than the average one-bedroom apartment! Despite these challenges, Zainab was able to complete the marathon to become Afghanistan’s first female marathoner to complete a marathon in Afghanistan.
Sadly, even here in Canada there are those who don’t feel safe to go for a run alone, or at night or in neighbourhoods where there may have been violence. Inspired by the example of the Marathon of Afghanistan, the Secret 3K believes that safe races can create safe places. This week we will be celebrating International Women’s Day and as a community we look forward to a day when all people around the world can feel safe to go for a run in their own community.
Before you start your run today, we encourage you to take a photo wearing your race bib to show that you are joining us in solidarity as we run, walk and work together for equality.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS USING #SECRET3K
Other Ways to Have a Great Day!
Planning what you’ll eat after your run/walk? Check out these great food suggestions from our Secret 3K Ambassador, Hirra Farooqi to get a taste of Afghan culture. LINK HERE
Want to learn how you can map out a 3K run/walk? Curious about how many steps it would be to complete? Check out our helpful resource by clicking here.
Want to make your run/walk special? Check out these recommended routes from our Race Directors for routes that have significant sites connected to gender equality, Afghanistan or human rights. Click Here