Running may be a simple freedom for some, but for others who do not have the same privilege, it is more than just running, it's about human rights. 

Free to Run is a non-profit organisation, which uses sport to support women and girls living in areas of conflict. Its founder is Stephanie Case, a Canadian ultramarathoner and human rights lawyer working in Afghanistan. 

In 2014, when Case first had the idea for Free to Run, she reached out to the women of Afghanistan to become the first ultramarathon team from their country, and it was then that she met Zainab, a young Afghan woman and aspiring runner. Together they would form a team that would face the challenge of the 250K Gobi March in China.

On this week's episode of The Shakeout, we bring you the story of these women and how their lives intersected in their common goal to bring freedom to the women of Afghanistan through running. 

We would like to thank the Ontario Media Development Corporation for their contributions to this podcast.