HOME: 30209739A

Freetown, Sierra Leone- Athletes run on Aberdeen Beach in Freetown, Sierra Leone on Saturday, August 12, 2017. All across Sierra Leone, large groups of people come together on the weekends, especially on Sunday mornings, to exercise. In Freetown, people find that exercising in large groups aids in motivation as many jog to the shores from miles away. But a running ban was put into place by the national police force last month prohibiting groups from jogging on the streets across the country stating that large numbers of runners present a {quote}hint of menace, raining insults, obstructing traffic, pounding on vehicles, playing loud music{quote} and robbing pedestrians. Some see the move as political as opposition candidates use jogging to gather supporters and campaign ahead of next years elections. Most find the disruption to their fitness routine unfair. (Jane Hahn for the New York Times)
30209739A

Freetown, Sierra Leone- Athletes run on Aberdeen Beach in Freetown, Sierra Leone on Saturday, August 12, 2017. All across Sierra Leone, large groups of people come together on the weekends, especially on Sunday mornings, to exercise. In Freetown, people find that exercising in large groups aids in motivation as many jog to the shores from miles away. But a running ban was put into place by the national police force last month prohibiting groups from jogging on the streets across the country stating that large numbers of runners present a "hint of menace, raining insults, obstructing traffic, pounding on vehicles, playing loud music" and robbing pedestrians. Some see the move as political as opposition candidates use jogging to gather supporters and campaign ahead of next years elections. Most find the disruption to their fitness routine unfair.

(Jane Hahn for the New York Times)