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

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

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

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