THE SECRET 3K
March 4, 2020 @ 6:30pm
Click the image below to register for The Secret 3K
2020 Marquee Locations: Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton, Halifax, Charlottetown, St.John’s
Want to participate from somewhere else in the world? Join us as a Virtual participant or become a Virtual Run Leader! Learn more here.
Our Story
We want to let you in on a secret. In 2015 for the first time ever, a marathon was held in Afghanistan, a marathon that both men and women were able to participate in but they had to keep it a secret. Why? There are still places in the world where women are not allowed to run or walk outside. However, a community in Afghanistan is courageously carving out a new way forward for the next generation. By creating safe races they are helping to create safe places. We want to help.
Join us for The Secret 3K run/walk. Held on the week of International Women's Day, this race celebrates our right to be free to run. We're inviting everyone to come together in solidarity supporting the right all humans should have to walk or run free of fear in their community.
By participating you are helping us to share the story through film and by making a donation you are helping to further the work of Girl Guides to build safe and inclusive spaces that promote gender equality. Together we can empower women and girls through education and sport.
Make a difference by signing up to participate in The Secret 3K and inviting a friend to join you today.
To learn more about The Secret Marathon documentary film and our partners please visit www.thesecretmarathon.com
Schedule of Events
Registration Check-In: 5.30pm-6:30pm
Please join us to check-in if you have registered in advance or to sign-up for day-of-registration. Upon check-in all recipients will receive a specialized race bib to wear for the duration of the race.
Race Starts: 6:30pm
Runners escorted to start line to complete a 3km race/walk. Please note that there will not be washrooms or water stations along the route.
Celebration: 6:45pm -7:30pm
Join us post race for refreshments and celebration! Learn more about the work of Girl Guides, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, the Marathon of Afghanistan and The Secret Marathon documentary film.
VOLUNTEER
Interested in volunteering for 2020? Please send us an email at TheSecretMarathon3K@gmail.com with the subject line "Volunteer 2020" plus your city.
Read the Book
To purchase a copy of the Secret Marathon by Martin Parnell - Click Here
School Program
Learn more about our school program and teacher resources here.
Participate Virtually
Interested in participating outside of Canada or outside of one of our marquee cities? Learn more here.
Run Leader
Want to lead a run in your community? Learn more here about our Virtual program and how you can be a Virtual Run Leader with your friends, colleagues or team.
The Secret 3k 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Why is it a secret?
The route of the original run, the 2016 Marathon of Afghanistan, had to be kept a secret in order to keep everyone, including the runners, organizers, and supporters, safe. The route for the runs continue to be kept a secret to help remind us that there are people everyday who face great risks doing something as simple as running or walking. The most powerful secret, and the one we should openly share, is that as individuals and communities we have the ability to come together to end inequality by participating in this great event.
+ What does the money go towards?
All donations go towards Girl Guides of Canada. In addition, ⅓ of our race fee goes towards supporting the Marathon of Afghanistan, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, and subsidized school screenings of The Secret Marathon.
+ Is the event just for women?
This run is gender and age inclusive supporting the universal human right to move freely in our community. We invite all persons to join us in creating communities where everyone feels safe to go for a run or a walk regardless of their gender, race, religion or ability.
+ What if I don't live near one of the cities but want to hold my own Secret 3K??
For individuals, groups and schools who can't get to one of our marquee locations but want to hold a Secret 3k at 6.30pm Wednesday, March 4th we have established a "Virtual Location" registration option. By using this option we will be able to see the support, around the world, for this incredible event. Learn more here.
+ Is this a family friendly race??
We welcome families to participate in the race/walk and those wishing to participate with strollers, wagons or dogs may do so, being mindful of the other participants. We hope the event will be a wonderful discussion starter for families to talk about global issues together.
+ Will this race be chipped or timed?
This event will not be chipped or timed and is considered a fun run/walk. The focus of the race is to build community and raise awareness. It is meant to be an accessible race with a distance that is accessible for as many people as possible.
+ Can I volunteer for the event?
We welcome individuals to help us as volunteers in providing guidance to participants, greeting participants and helping with set-up and take down. If you are interested in volunteering please send us an email at TheSecretMarathon3K@gmail.com with the subject line "Volunteer 2020" plus your city.
+ Is the race fee going towards charity??
The race fee covers the expenses of the race. The Secret 3K’s goal is to raise awareness about issues of equality, but it is not a charity. Girl Guides of Canada is a charity whose work encompasses empowering women and girls. Donations to Girl Guides of Canada provide charity tax benefits and can be made upon race registration.
+ Can my company be involved??
We welcome partnerships with local businesses and organizations who would like to support the event. If your company is interested in being our local food, beverage or venue sponsor please contact us at thesecretmarathon3K@gmail.com with subject line "Partnership Secret 3K." You can also participate as a company by forming a team and inviting members of your company to join your team.
+ What if my school wants to participate?
School groups are welcome to join us at any of our official locations on race day or, if it is more convenient, school groups may join as a Virtual group and run during the school day. Teachers can also access our teacher resources here.
+ Why is it a 3 kilometer event?
Our goal is to make this a community event that is accessible to as many people as possible. We have chosen to make it a 3K so we can host the event in as many locations as possible without the need for multiple road closures or road crossings.
+ Can we screen the film at or before The Secret 3K?
The Secret Marathon is currently screening only at Film Festivals while we seek wider distribution. We are planning in the future to make the film more widely available and specifically to allow for screenings within schools. In the meantime you may wish to screen one of the following instead:
Film Trailer: https://youtu.be/sNPxyL49-h0
Highway to Health TV Episode: https://youtu.be/uX5eDXxxo2M
CTV News National of The Secret 3K: Link
+ What is the hashtag for this event?
#TheSecret3K
+ I'm a Girl Guide Unit leader, how can I get more involved?
You can register your Girl Guides using either the "School/Unit" registration option which allows you to enter all of your Guides at once or you may use the "Team Captain" option which will provide you a passcode you can share with your Guides and their families to sign up and join your team. You can also access programming for your unit by visiting this link.
