Around 2,000 runners participated in the Baghdad Marathon for Peace in the Iraqi capital last Friday. /VCG Photo

Participants, many women and children, powered through the half marathon running for peace and advocating for the "Sport against Violence" campaign. /VCG Photo

The campaign was organized by Iraqi activists who hoped to use sport as a tool to spread values of non-violence and peacebuilding. /VCG Photo

Friday's half marathon marked the third anniversary of the event. Last year, over 1,100 runners participated in the annual running festival. /VCG Photo