A women’s marathon held on Kish Island in southern Iran has sparked nationwide controversy after thousands of participants ran without wearing the mandatory hijab—an act widely viewed as a bold display of shifting cultural attitudes in the country.
Footage from the event showed women in red T-shirts with their hair uncovered at the starting line and later posing openly with their medals. The marathon drew more than 25,000 tourists, but it also prompted a swift crackdown from Iranian authorities.
The judiciary, via its official Mizan Online platform, announced the arrest of two organisers—one a Kish Free Zone official and the other an employee of the private company behind the event. According to the local prosecutor, the race violated Iran’s laws, religious norms, and moral codes despite prior warnings. Officials confirmed that a criminal case has been opened against those responsible.
Hardline media outlets and conservative commentators sharply criticised the marathon. The state-affiliated Tasnim news agency condemned the event for falling outside “official frameworks,” accusing organisers of ignoring earlier directives and likening the participants’ appearance to “nudity.” It further described the run as promoting “public unveiling and immorality,” insisting that those involved “must be punished immediately.” One hardline activist labelled the event a “disco marathon,” questioning, “Is this the Islamic Republic or the Las Vegas Republic?”
In contrast, reformists and women’s rights supporters celebrated the images as another sign of women challenging compulsory dress regulations. The incident has also gained global attention. Amnesty International called for the immediate release of the detained organisers, stating: “Women running a marathon without veils should never lead to arrests.”
Authorities have not yet provided updates on the status of the detained organisers.
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