This morning, 32,000 runners took to the streets of Barcelona to support the role of women in an 8 km race. It wasn’t only about making the role of female athletes more visible, but also about the cause. The slogan: “Tu dorsal suma” [Your race bib counts] printed on the runners’ shorts had a very broad set of meanings: actively helping in the fight against breast cancer and to prevent the disease, combating gender-based violence, social and educational inequalities and breaking down the stereotypes that affect female athletes.
A range of symbolic initiatives were carried out alongside the main event: Marea Rosa unfurled the largest ribbon in history (50 metres); all the race bibs carried the 016 number, the freephone number for victims of gender violence; special recognition was given to Paralympic swimmer, Sarai Gascón, and 400 m runner, Laura Hernández; the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer made a donation of 75,000 euros; Pulseras Rojas set up a space where people could make ponytail donations to support women undergoing treatment who are unable to afford wigs; and once again this year economic support was offered to three organisations dedicated to protecting women in different areas: Wanawake Mujer, the Fundación GEICAM and Clara Campoamor.
Meanwhile, in order to promote physical activity among women in families with school-age children – mothers, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, etc. – and to find mechanisms to prevent girls from giving up sports at the end of primary school or while at secondary school, and to contribute to the fight against cancer, the Barcelona Institute of Sports (IBE) subsidised 100 solidarity bibs in every school in the city that requested them. Furthermore, all sorts of different resources were provided: articles, tests, films, etc., to promote the subject of women’s sport in the classroom. A total of 700 race bibs were distributed among the seven schools who took part this year.
Eight local solidarity project also participated in the Cursa de la Dona, and thanks to the Z Zurich Foundation each will receive an extra 50% on top of the funds raised individually.
La Cursa de la Dona Fun Run began at 9 am in Av. Maria Cristina, and finished in Av. Rius i Taulet. With a time of: xxxxx respectively, XXX, XXX, XXX were the first three to cross the finish line.