On Friday, April 7, 2017, Tehran witnessed its inaugural marathon, attracting both seasoned and amateur runners from across the globe. However, the event faced challenges due to initial uncertainty regarding the participation of women. Eventually, a decision was made to allow women to run a separate half-marathon of 21km, while men ran the full 42km marathon. Women were required to adhere to a dress code, which included wearing a head covering and refraining from exposing bare legs.
The starting point of the full marathon was Azadi (Freedom) Stadium, taking runners past the iconic Azadi Tower, a significant symbol from the rallies during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The course also encompassed notable landmarks like Ferdowsi Square, built in honor of the renowned Persian poet, and the Tehran City Theatre situated along Valiasr Street, one of the longest avenues in the Middle East.
