Martin Parnell
THE SECRET MARATHON:
EMPOWERING WOMEN & GIRLS
IN AFGHANISTAN THROUGH SPORT
Friday, November 12th @ 7:00 pm
via Zoom (“doors open” at 6:30 pm)
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85241078737?pwd=dHdKVFV1MTBnbGptYXVDTlpjdXpxUT09
Meeting ID: 852 4107 8737
Passcode: 810072
International keynote speaker, author & local Cochranite, Martin Parnell …
Through his Quests for Kids initiative, Martin Parnell has run 250 marathons in one year, set 5 Guinness World Records, summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 21 hours, raised over $1.3m for the humanitarian organization Right To Play, and given the gift of hope to some 27,000 children. Martin has also published 3 books, including The Secret Marathon: Empowering Women and Girls in Afghanistan through Sport, and is the executive producer of The Secret Marathon documentary. Through books, films, articles, keynotes & workshops, Martin shares his message of having a “Finish the Race Attitude.” Martin is a member of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, is married to Sue, and has 3 children & 3 grandchildren.
While recovering from a rare & life-threatening blood clot on his brain, Martin read about Zainab, the first woman to run a marathon in Afghanistan. He was so inspired by her story that he decided that if he was able to recover from his illness, he would run with her at the next “Marathon of Afghanistan” in support of rights for girls and women. Martin Parnell’s presentation takes the audience on an inspirational journey into a country known for political chaos & female oppression. Audience members will be transported to a country of beauty, hardship & complexity, sharing in the despair, resilience & friendliness of the Afghan people as they continue to strive for freedom & equality for themselves & their fellow citizens.
As you can well imagine, recent events in Afghanistan lend an added dimension of urgency & importance to Martin’s message.
We do hope you will join us for this topical presentation and what promises to be an engaging follow-up discussion!