Women's Running Just Made History
You might have noticed something different about the October issue of Women's Running magazine: For the first time in the history of fitness and health magazines in the U.S., the cover star is wearing a hijab.
The cover star, Rahaf Khatib, 32, is a six-time marathoner who has competed in two triathlons and countless half marathons as a hijabi. She's also a mother to three kids.
Rahaf lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and began running in 2012 when she grew bored with her gym classes. She signed up for a 10K in pursuit of an even greater challenge.
Ever since that first race, she's fielded lots of questions about her attire, but the biggest one is, "Don't you get hot?" For the record, as she told Women's Running, "If it’s hot outside, you’re going to be warm regardless!"
Otherwise, she says, the running community has been welcoming - one reason why she's so into getting other Muslim women to run, and so proud of being featured on a magazine cover. "It’s something I can show to my kids in the future, my community and most importantly my parents," she told Women's Running. "It means that my sweat, tears and training are worth it.”
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