Claire McFarlane, global adventurer, advocate against sexual violence and IIPT’s second “Ambassador for Peace” recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her first beach run and start of her global adventure – “Footsteps to Inspire” – with a 16 km beach run in Johannesburg where it all began a year ago. A group of runners there organized and hosted the one year celebration run.
Claire’s amazing story was featured in the Johannesburg Saturday Star newspaper.
Claire is running 16 kilometers (10 miles) of beach in every coastal country in the world. That’s 184 countries and over 3000 kilometers of beach, with the purpose of uniting people, organizations and communities around the world to join her in a peaceful dialogue about sexual violence.
“I had no idea what to expect when I started out. No one else has created this kind of movement before”
Claire is planning all aspects of the journey, including her programs in each country. She is deeply committed to peacefully engaging with individuals, services and organizations while respectful of cultures and traditions and keeping an open mind free of judgement.
Claire rarely runs alone and she has noticed a common trend across most countries visited so far: people want to speak about sexual violence, they just don’t know how. Through Footsteps to Inspire, Claire is creating a safe place for conversation and understanding.
Claire has already travelled to 30 countries and has run on 30 beaches. She started in South Africa, a year ago in her country of birth. Country five, Papua New Guinea, was a turning point for her. 200 people joined Claire for the run there and they asked her if she could come back again this year. An annual global beach run is a long term goal for Footsteps To Inspire.
“Every country has been different. Every country teaches Claire something new. It’s challenging on all levels” Claire reflects, “but that’s adventure isn’t?”
Claire featured in TEDx Talk
Claire was recently featured in a TEDx talk in St. Thomas. To listen to her inspiring 18 minute talk, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/lNpSg8XSVf8
Follow Claire’s journey on Facebook: www.facebook.com/footstepstoinspire
or the Footsteps To Inspire website: www.footstepstoinspire.org
