Support Our Friends
The following provides more information about the charitable organizations that we support through the Secret 3K. Each organization was chosen based on the work they are doing to support gender equality through sport and education internationally.
The Marathon of Afghanistan is not just a marathon, it’s part of a movement for equality. You can make a direct donation to the marathon through the Afghan Sport Trust. Due to recent events in Afghanistan, the Marathon which has been held every year from 2015-2020 was not able to be held during 2021. Many of the race organizers had to flee the country for their own safety and that or their family. Funds raised through the Afghan Sport Trust are working to help those connected to the race to resettle or for those who were not able to escape and are living in hiding to provide basic human necessities. It is our hope that this event will be able to rebuild and we encourage you to check out their virtual event to support them further.
261 Fearless is a global non-profit organization using running as a vehicle to empower & unite women through Education Programs. They facilitate running clubs and train women to become running coaches so women all around the world can run in a safe and supported environment. The name “261” was inspired by the race bib number that Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon wore when she completed that landmark race.
Since the Taliban violently took Afghanistan in August 2021, The 30 Birds Foundation has worked to bring more than 450 at-risk schoolgirls, family members, and girls’ education activists to safety- many of whom have found their new homes here in Canada.
Once out of harm’s way, it became apparent that these girls were not content with mere survival. Their passion to help those left behind and to give back to the communities that welcomed them made clear that our work was just getting started. Inspired by their selfless determination to give back to the world, and recognizing their incredible leadership capacity, our mission evolved to rebuild pathways for Afghan girls to learn, lead, and live freely.
30 Birds is dedicated to ensuring that all Afghan girls, those who've found new homes and those still in Afghanistan, can pursue their academic and professional dreams, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and acquire the knowledge and connections they need to pave the way toward a bright future for themselves, their new homes, and for Afghanistan.