Hundreds of Iranian women run Tehran 10K race without hijab

Hundreds of women participated in a 10‑kilometre race in Tehran on Saturday, openly refusing to wear the compulsory hijab mandated by Iran’s dress code law. Organizers of the event, which was promoted as a public health and fitness initiative, reported that many runners chose to run without headscarves or with them loosely draped, a direct violation of the regulations that require women to cover their hair in public spaces.

Authorities responded by deploying police officers to the race route, issuing warnings and detaining several participants for “non‑compliance with the hijab ordinance.” Human‑rights groups noted the incident as part of a broader pattern of civil disobedience by Iranian women, who have increasingly used public gatherings and sporting events to challenge the dress code. The Tehran municipal government confirmed that the race will continue, but reiterated that participants must adhere to existing legal requirements.