Why We Run: The Launch of Juniper Kyz

Empowering Young Women through Running

Juniper Kyz is a new initiative created to empower young women in Kyrgyzstan through the sport of running. This social project aims to provide not only a platform for physical growth but also a space for personal development, community building, and increased self-confidence. The project is being run by a diverse group of five young women — three from Kyrgyzstan, one from the United States, and one from Canada — who are passionate about sharing their love for running and making it accessible to young women in the country.

The Name: Juniper Kyz

The name of the project, “Juniper Kyz,” is inspired by the juniper trees that grow resiliently in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous landscapes. Known for their toughness and ability to thrive in harsh conditions, juniper trees symbolize the strength and resilience the project hopes to cultivate in its participants. The word “Kyz” means “girl” in Kyrgyz, reflecting the project’s focus on empowering young women by fostering their physical, emotional, and mental growth. The name embodies the idea that these young women, like juniper trees, have the power to flourish and overcome challenges in their lives.

What the Project Offers

Juniper Kyz is designed to support young women ages 16 to 30 in Bishkek and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, who are passionate about running or interested in starting their fitness journey. The program provides comprehensive support, including running gear for those facing financial barriers, ensuring that every participant has the resources they need to begin. Open to women of all running backgrounds, the program fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants can grow and thrive.

Over three months, participants will engage in 2–3 weekly group sessions, supplemented by three independent training sessions per week. Beyond running, the program offers educational workshops on nutrition, mental health, recovery, and strength training, promoting a balanced approach to fitness. To build confidence and readiness for competition, participants will also take part in two to three mock races.

Partway through the program, participants will take on the 10K at the Run the Silk Road event, which will serve as an opportunity to show off their progress and celebrate their dedication. The program will culminate one month later with a race designed exclusively for our Juniper Kyz participants, showcasing their growth and celebrating their achievements. Beyond these races, Juniper Kyz aims to introduce a coaching training program that empowers alumni to inspire and mentor more young women in their communities.

However, the vision of Juniper Kyz extends far beyond the finish line. While the races represents a tangible achievement, the ultimate goal is to build a strong and supportive community for women. By cultivating connections and empowering young women through running, the program aspires to create a ripple effect of confidence, resilience, and leadership that impacts future generations. Juniper Kyz is not just about running — it’s about creating lasting change in the lives of young women and the communities they influence.

The Social Impact

The main goal of the Juniper Kyz project is to empower young women by fostering a sense of confidence, resilience, and leadership through running. By creating a space where young women can support each other and challenge themselves, the project helps combat some of the unique difficulties they face in Kyrgyzstan, such as low salaries, limited access to physical activity opportunities, and prejudice against girls in sports. It also aims to address broader issues of gender inequality by encouraging young women to take on leadership roles within their community and become advocates for their own well-being.

The project will also include post-workout snacks, merch, transportation and accommodation to Issyk Kul for the marathon in May, and other essentials to ensure that participants can engage fully without financial barriers. Long-term, the project envisions expanding to offer additional levels, such as an intermediate training program, and to reach young women outside of Bishkek.

The Team Behind Juniper Kyz

The Juniper Kyz project is run by five passionate young women. The team members come from diverse backgrounds but share a common goal: to create a space where young women in Kyrgyzstan can gain confidence, improve their physical health, and create a lasting community around running. The team includes:

• Nargiza, from Kyrgyzstan, is the founder of HIFE [Health + Life], one of Kyrgyzstan’s first running communities. After six years in marketing, she decided to pursue her passion for running and blogging. Within a month of starting daily runs, she saw her group grow from just three people to over 60 regular participants and 2,000 community members within six months — a milestone for Kyrgyzstan. This success revealed the need for a supportive running community, especially for women. Inspired by this, Nargiza and her team launched a project aimed at empowering young women in Kyrgyzstan through running, confidence building, and fostering a sense of community.

  
  

• Ayana is a content marketing and social media expert from Kyrgyzstan with a passion for running and yoga. She regularly participates in local sporting events and believes deeply in the transformative power of sports to change women’s lives. Her mission is to create inclusive and accessible spaces where every woman feels welcome in the world of sports. As part of the project, she develops and implements promotional strategies to inspire and engage women, break down gender stereotypes, and increase participation in sports.

  
  

• Salima is a novice running coach from and project coordinator from Kyrgyzstan dedicated to promoting women’s sports in Kyrgyzstan. With experience organizing events such as mountain races, beginner training programs, and initiatives supporting women in sports, she has spent the past five months actively encouraging women to overcome fears, build confidence, and start running. Salima is passionate about making sports accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level or financial situation. Her project management expertise and focus on partnership-building support her mission to inspire girls in Central Asia to achieve their goals through sport.

  
  

• Lily is a dedicated runner from the United States who first came to Kyrgyzstan in January 2023 for a study-abroad program. During her time there, she improved her Russian and Kyrgyz language skills and built meaningful connections with locals. Captivated by Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful mountains, she returned after graduating to live and work in Bishkek. A competitive runner since middle school, Lily now explores distance trail running in Kyrgyzstan’s stunning landscapes. She hopes to share the joy and personal growth running has brought her with young women through this project.

  
  

• Joy is soon to be Gender Studies graduate from the University of Victoria, Canada who is passionate about advancing gender equality and creating opportunities for girls and women, particularly in sports and outdoor activities. She first visited Kyrgyzstan in August 2024 for an internship and was deeply inspired by its breathtaking mountains and welcoming communities. An avid runner, she completed three marathons and two ultra-distance races in 2024 and is now training for her longest ultra in May 2026. Through this project, Joy combines her academic expertise with her love for running to help young women build confidence, resilience, and a supportive community through sport.

How You Can Help

The Juniper Kyz project is currently raising funds to support the initiative and ensure it remains free for participants. Through a GoFundMe campaign, the project seeks donations to cover the costs of running gear, transportation, post-workout snacks, and other essentials for participants. Every contribution helps provide young women with the resources they need to succeed, thrive, and build a supportive community.

For those interested in supporting Juniper Kyz, donations can be made directly through our GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/3aba6248. We would also greatly appreciate it if you shared the initiative with others to help spread the word. For updates and a closer look at our journey, follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/juniper_kyz/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet. If you’d like to get in touch, send us a DM on Instagram @juniper_kyz or email us at juniperkyz@gmail.com.

Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of young women in Kyrgyzstan!