Region 5 Marathon Returns After Four-Year Hiatus
The fifth edition of the Region 5 Marathon is set to resume after a four-year sabbatical. The race, dubbed the “Silver Jubilee Marathon,” will be held in Rustenburg, South Africa in September, on a date yet to be confirmed.
The marathon is part of commemorations to mark the region’s 25 years of existence. For host country South Africa, the event will also serve as a celebration of the country’s 30 years of democracy. The theme of the marathon is “Africa United.”
Stanley Mutoya, the Region 5 chief executive officer, expressed delight at the resumption of the marathon after a COVID-19-induced four-year absence. “We are naturally excited that the marathon bounces back after four years of absence. This is a platform for our people to celebrate our cherished regional solidarity and resilience as a people,” Mutoya said.
The inaugural edition of the regional marathon was hosted in Malawi in 2016, as a joint effort between Region 5 and the Confederation of Southern African National Olympic Committees (COSANOC), now the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI. Thereafter, Mozambique hosted it in 2017 before Namibia staged the 2018 and 2019 editions.
South Africa then offered to host the event for three years from 2020 to 2022, before sport was brought to a halt by COVID-19 in 2020.
The marathon is designed to amplify the rich African culture and excellence through sport, projecting Africa as a powerful continent that promotes and fosters the ideals and principles of Pan-Africanism among member countries. It also aims to use sport as a catalyst to achieve regional peace and solidarity, while serving as a portal for sports tourism and the promotion of African values.
The event will feature various categories, including a 42.2km run, 22.1km run, 10km Fun run, 5km and 2km Walk for Life events. Participants will be encouraged to race in attire made from their indigenous fabrics and designed by local fashion designers, with the best-designed Afro-kit winning a prize.
The marathon is expected to attract top runners from the Region 5 member countries, while also promoting mass participation, targeting a minimum of 5,000 participants from across the region and beyond, including host country South Africa.
