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Runners flock to Tehran’s first marathon

The race route, packed with hundreds of marathoners, wove its way past iconic Iranian landmarks.

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The Tehran Marathon was the first ever long-distance event hosted in the Iranian capital. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
By Mohammad Ali Najib
Published On 8 Apr 2017

The first marathon in Tehran’s history was held on Friday, drawing hundreds of experienced and neophyte runners from around the world.

But the race encountered some hurdles, amid confusion over whether women would be permitted to run. In the end, they were allowed to run a separate half-marathon of 21km, rather than the men’s full 42km marathon. They were also obliged to conform to a dress code, including a hair covering and a ban on any clothing that revealed bare legs.

The full marathon started at Azadi (Freedom) Stadium, and passed by the iconic Azadi Tower, a prominent structure during rallies in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Other landmarks along the route included Ferdowsi Square, built in honour of the famous Persian poet, and the Tehran City Theatre along Valiasr Street, one of the longest avenues in the Middle East.

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According to Iran's track-and-field federation, runners from more than 40 countries, including the United States and Britain, signed up for the marathon. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Runners from Germany, the Netherlands and France also joined the 42km race. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
First Tehran marathon/Please Do Not Use
Tehran-based organiser Maryam Feize said that by bringing the marathon to Tehran, they wanted runners around the world to experience Iranian hospitality through sport. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Competitors in the full marathon left the starting line shortly after 7am. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
First Tehran marathon/Please Do Not Use
In 2016, Iran hosted another marathon in Shiraz. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
First Tehran marathon/Please Do Not Use
More than 200 Iranian and foreign women signed up for the race, but they were only permitted to run a separate half-marathon. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Some women, however, were seen running with the men. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Female runners were required to follow a dress code, including the wearing of headscarves or bandanas to cover their hair. They were also not allowed to wear shorts, unlike the male athletes. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Among the landmarks along the full marathon route was the Azadi (Freedom) Tower, which became iconic during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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For many of the foreign runners, the race marked an opportunity to meet Iranians and experience the country's hospitality. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
First Tehran marathon/Please Do Not Use
Jafari Moradi, an Iranian marathon runner during the Rio Olympics, won the 42km race, receiving a prize of $3,000. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]