By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
In a vibrant show of solidarity and empowerment, Run Club Abuja held a groundbreaking 10-kilometer run on Saturday, rallying over 500 women in celebration of the upcoming 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The event, which attracted participants from across Nigeria, aimed not just to promote fitness but to tackle the pressing issue of period poverty.
The maiden edition of the Abuja Women’s Run, spearheaded by chairwoman Ibe Onyebuchi, had a clear mission: raise funds to provide sanitary pads for 500 girls across five government secondary schools in Abuja.
“This run isn’t just about fitness—it’s about building a community of empowered women,” Onyebuchi declared. “Our goal is to ensure that no young girl misses school because of period poverty. This initiative is a step toward restoring dignity and creating equal opportunities.”
Despite initial plans to accommodate 500 runners, overwhelming interest saw more than 200 additional hopefuls turned away due to capacity limits—an indication of the event’s growing relevance. Onyebuchi celebrated the event’s success, rating it 10 out of 10.
“We even had virtual participants joining from Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos,” she added, highlighting the event’s widespread reach.
The founder of Run Club Abuja, Henry Okelue, emphasized the deeper significance behind the race: raising ₦3 million to supply sanitary pads for 500 girls over the next six months.
“Women are the backbone of society. This initiative is our way of celebrating their resilience while fighting period poverty head-on,” Okelue stated.
“This isn’t just a marathon—it’s a movement. It’s about wellness, dignity, and giving girls the freedom to thrive without barriers,” he said, encouraging a future where even more women join the race and men stand by to cheer them on.
The run defied age limits, welcoming participants as young as eight and as old as 70.
The youngest runner was just nine years old, while even senior participants laced up their shoes, proving that health and empowerment have no age boundary.
Stephanie Adamu, the Project Manager, described the turnout as “overwhelming and beyond expectations,” calling on more organizations to join the fight against period poverty.
“This is just the beginning. We’re hopeful that future events will grow bigger and inspire others to embrace this cause,” she said.
As the vibrant crowd crossed the finish line, it became clear that this was more than just a race—it was a powerful stride toward ending stigma, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that every girl in Abuja can pursue her dreams with dignity and confidence.
This 10km run wasn’t just a celebration—it was a bold declaration that when women run together, they run toward change.
