Inaugural all womens' race takes off in Algiers

Algeria’s capital was a sea of women clad in their running gear on Friday.

The women who ruled the streets for the better part of the day, took part in a race aimed at raising awareness about women’s participation in sports in the conservative Muslim country.

Wearing sweatpants, T-shirts, and waving flags, the three kilometre race was a fun-filled event.

Algerian middle distance runner Nouria Benida-Merah, who won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 travelled over 400 kilometres from her home town in Constantine to participate in the run.

“This is a first of its kind and it is a very good initiative. I hope it will be repeated every year and it can also spread to Constantine,” she said.

From the elderly to even young girls, it was an all womens’ affair.

Algiers mayor and the minister of sports were also present and handed winners their trophies at the end of the event.

AFP