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"I loved running. I had the best race of my life and I was so excited. That feeling! You know that feeling? And they took it away from me that day. Anyone should be able to excel at what they love without these roadblocks of discrimination."

In 2019, 17-year-old Noor Abukaram ran the best, fastest cross-country race of her life at a local meet in Ohio. But when she checked the results afterward, her name wasn\'t there. She learned that she had been disqualified before the race even started. For wearing a hijab.

Noor \\u2014 who was raised in a Muslim family and started wearing a traditional head and neck covering as a teenager \\u2014\\xa0shared her story from that day, of being disqualified for rules unbeknownst to her, and it quickly went viral. And so she turned her heartache into advocacy. She founded "Let Noor Run," a campaign to raise awareness about religious-based discrimination in sports and beyond. She successfully helped change the laws and legislation that protect the freedom of religious expression for athletes in Ohio. And at only 19 years old, she just starred in an ESPN film that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

SPONSOR:\\xa0New Balance \\u2014 Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun\\xa0to learn more about how New Balance is supporting conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite\\xa0pullover,\\xa0crop top,\\xa0half-zip top,\\xa0quilted pullover, and\\xa0jacket.)

What you\\u2019ll get on this episode:

• What Young Noor was like growing up (3:30)
• How Noor became a runner (9:30)
• What Noor\\u2019s early high school experience was like (14:00)
• Why wearing a hijab means so much to Noor (21:00)
• On attending an Islamic school but playing sports at the local public high school (25:00)
• The cross-country meet in Ohio that changed everything for Noor (30:50)
• How \\u201cLet Noor Run\\u201d was born (37:00)
• What it was like going viral (43:00)
• On seeing an opportunity for change in a crappy situation (50:30)
• Noor\\u2019s willingness to be an advocate (53:30)
• Noor gives us all the \\u201cSB 181 101\\u201d \\u2014 what it means and what it does as a law (59:20)
• How all of this has affected Noor\\u2019s relationship with running (1:01:35)
• Noor\\u2019s dreams for the future (1:04:20)

Follow Noor:

• Let Noor Run
• Donate a Hijab
• Instagram @nooralexandria

Follow Ali:

• Instagram\\xa0@aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Support on Patreon
• Blog
• Strava

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show!\\xa0If you\\u2019re enjoying the show, please\\xa0subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!