Iranian hikers come down from the mountain at the Tochal mountainous area in northern Tehran, Iran. Two days before what has been described as Tehran’s first international marathon, a top Iranian sports official cannot confirm whether Americans will participate and says women will be forced to run separately from men. AP
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has started its first international marathon, calling it an opportunity for “building bridges, breaking barriers” though no American runners are participating.
Iran’s Track and Field Federation chief Majid Keyhani said Wednesday there was no ban on any nationality in what he called the “Persian Run.”
The race’s website listed 28 Americans among the registered runners, along with participants from more than 40 countries, including Britain, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
“We have sent all runner names to Iran’s Foreign Ministry for issuing visas,” he said.
Iran stopped issuing visas to U.S. citizens after President Donald Trump first announced a travel ban on Iranians and citizens of six other Muslim-majority countries in January. Tehran later allowed American wrestlers to travel to Iran to participate in a world championship.