Young people will run or walk 5K in Trent Park at noon on Saturday 10 October, London's leg of a nine-city protest against executions in Iran.

Young people are organising a 5K run in Trent Park at 12 noon on Saturday 10 October to call for an end to executions in Iran. The date is the World Day Against the Death Penalty.

London is one of nine cities taking part on the same day. Runners can run, jog or walk the distance. The organisers’ own page puts it simply: “The message matters more than the clock.” (Run for a Free Iran)

Why they are running

The London run was brought to us by Women for Free Iran. Dr Ela Zabihi wrote to us on behalf of the group:

“Young people in 9 cities across different countries are taking part in this international 5K campaign to call for an end to executions in Iran, with London one of the participating cities.”

The group gave us its own figures, which we have not been able to check independently. It says 31 people who took part in the January 2026 uprising have been executed. It says more than 1,060 people have been executed in Iran since January 2026.

Dr Zabihi said:

“These executions are not simply about punishment; they are being used to create fear, silence people and prevent another uprising. Execution has become an instrument of regime survival.”

The international event page, published under the name of the Alliance for Public Awareness, describes the day as “a visible, peaceful act of solidarity”. It says the runners move “for the political prisoners, protesters, and every person in Iran living under the threat of execution”.

“Execution is irreversible. In Iran, its shadow reaches political prisoners, dissidents, and people detained after protests. On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we refuse to let those lives become numbers.”

The Academics in Exile Association is also backing the London run, which it calls the Walk & Run for Justice in Iran. Rosa Zara wrote to us for the association:

“On Saturday 10 October 2026, we are organising a 5km Walk & Run for Justice in Iran at Trent Park, bringing together members of the local community, students, academics, runners and human rights supporters.”

She said the event “aims to raise awareness of executions in Iran and show solidarity with those facing human rights violations”, and that it is open to members of the public.

The nine cities

The event page lists runs on Saturday 10 October in:

  • London, Trent Park, 12 noon
  • Paris, Parc Montsouris
  • Amsterdam, Westerpark
  • Cologne
  • Stockholm
  • Oslo
  • Rome, Terme di Caracalla
  • Luxembourg, Parc municipal
  • Sydney

How to take part
When Saturday 10 October 2026, 12 noon
Where Trent Park, 331 Cockfosters Road, Barnet EN4 0JY
Distance 5K, run, jog or walk
Price Free, the Academics in Exile Association says
Register London registration page on Njuko
Questions info@apa-ice.org, or contact@womenforfreeiran.com

The organisers say each city’s registration page carries the local start time, meeting point, accessibility information and updates. The Academics in Exile Association says the London event is free.

Their invitation to the public reads: “Bring a friend. Bring your family. Bring your voice.”

What it means for you

If you use Trent Park on Saturday lunchtime, expect a group of runners and walkers on the paths from around noon. If you want to join in, register on the London page first through the Njuko link above.

For more going on locally this month, see What’s On in Enfield and our things to do in Enfield page.