Marathon Man Martin Parnell couldn’t help but be moved by a group of girls and women who risked everything to run with him through the hills of Afghanistan last month.
Although he’s now home in Cochrane – and a world away from the war-torn country – he hopes his annual New Year’s Eve Day run will raise money for those brave female athletes to be able to continue playing the sports they love.
“The girls need the encouragement,” Parnell said. “They have a real love for sport.”
Parnell organized his first run/walk event on New Year’s Eve day in 2010 as the last of a staggering 250 marathons he completed that year as a massive fundraiser for Right to Play.
Thirty runners joined him that first time. He decided to continue the tradition, and by last year, the number of participants had ballooned to close to 300.
“It’s becoming a bit of a thing to do on the 31st,” said Parnell. “It’s a great way of spending the day – (then you’re) guilt-free for the evening.”
While the Marathon Man has raised more than 1.3 million for the Right to Play charity, this year he has decided to collect funds to help construct a new volleyball court for girls in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Parnell recently ran a marathon there with nine other international athletes and five Afghan females. He said it was a life-altering experience to take part in the race with the women and girls, who endured taunts, abuse and more while training.
“It’s still with me and I’m still kind of processing it,” he said.
The girls’ enduring love of sport inspired Parnell to want to help improve the facilities at the Markaz Girls’ School, where he played volleyball with the students on a court so torn apart, it was barely useable for the sport.
“It’s a mess – it’s all kind of rubbly,” said Parnell, adding it will take about $5,000 to remove debris and rubble, clean up and resurface the court, as well as purchase a new net. “That sets them up good.”
Donations at Saturday’s run will be accepted at the run by cash or cheque and will go directly toward that $5,00 goal.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and is set up differently than an average run, with the longest distance – the 42-km marathon – starting first. Half-marathoners head off at noon, with the 10-km crew following at 1:30 p.m. and the five-kilometre group set to run at 2:15 p.m.
The two-kilometre run takes off at 2:40 p.m. – with everyone wrapped up by about 3 p.m., with plenty of time left to ring in the new year.
The route is a two-kilometre loop near the dog park and along the Bow River, just outside of Spray Lake Sawmills Sports Centre. Inside the facility, various sponsor tables will be set up and hot chocolate and cookies will be available.
Parnell is excited this year’s race will connect a group of girls so far away with his generous and supportive community here at home.
“I’m super pumped about this.”
