Running on Empty: 5K Fasts for Women at Wish

Empty Stomach, Full Heart: 5K Runs for Women at Wish

Over the next four weeks, I’ll be challenging myself by running a 5K twice a week while fasting during Ramadan. I’m taking on this test of physical and mental endurance to raise funds for Women at Wish, a charity devoted to supporting women grappling with mental health challenges, trauma, and the effects of the criminal justice system. Though running on an empty stomach and without water until sunset might sound extreme, it echoes the daily survival battles faced by many marginalized women.

The Challenge of Running While Fasting

Running alone is no small feat; adding fasting only intensifies the challenge. With no food or water for hours, every run will be a test of my body’s reserve energy. Fatigue, thirst, and the relentless heat will all push my limits but that’s the point. This struggle mirrors the resilience and determination required of the women that Women at Wish stand with every day.

Fasting tests not only the body but also the mind. It demands discipline, patience, and an ability to persevere through discomfort the same qualities that empower women navigating a system that often fails to support them.

Why Women at Wish?

This cause is deeply personal to me. I believe too few resources are devoted to supporting marginalized women with complex mental health needs. Women at Wish works tirelessly to provide advocacy, peer support, and a strong, independent voice for those whose experiences are too often overlooked. By running these 5Ks while fasting, I hope to shine a light on their struggle and demonstrate that with determination, we can all overcome our challenges.