Watch: Iranian women run Tehran race event without hijab, defying compulsory rules

Footage of the unveiled runners was also circulated by some state-affiliated accounts on X

Videos of women taking part in a 10-kilometre road race in Tehran without wearing headscarves have gone viral, drawing attention in Iran where the hijab remains compulsory under law.Several women were seen running with their hair uncovered during Friday's Tehran 10K at Velayat Park. The organisers held separate races for men and women, with the women's event covering two laps of the 10-kilometre course.The race took place on the same day as the Janfadayan-e Iran rally, a large state-backed gathering elsewhere in Tehran attended by Revolutionary Guards, Basij members and volunteers pledging to defend the country.The two events were not connected. However, footage of the unveiled runners was also circulated by some state-affiliated accounts on X, drawing attention because public appearances without a hijab remain prohibited under Iranian law.

Friday's scenes were particularly notable because authorities had previously taken action against organisers of a women's road race on Kish Island after participants were seen competing without headscarves.

Hijab rules remain in force

Iranian women have increasingly appeared in public without headscarves since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests, which erupted after the death of Mahsa "Jina" Amini while in morality police custody.Although uncovered hair has become increasingly common on Iranian streets and in some public spaces, compulsory hijab remains part of Iranian law. Enforcement continues in different forms, while government offices and many official establishments generally still require women to wear headscarves to enter.Parisa Arab, Iran's national record holder in the women's 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and half marathon, won Friday's race.Arab later shared a video showing scenes from the event and her crossing the finish line. She said the encouragement from spectators gave her energy during the most difficult parts of the race.