The Absa Summer Kids Marathon has grown beyond the track, transforming into a nationwide activation campaign with a mission to inspire healthy lifestyles and strengthen community bonds through sport. The marathon will kickstart nationwide activation activities on Saturday. “This year’s activation tour runs from January 31 to April 04, culminating in the main race on April 18, 2025 in Gaborone Central Business District (CBD), marking the 5thanniversary of Botswana’s largest kids’ marathon,” said Moagi Madisa, the founder of Absa Summer Kids Marathon.
He said the initiative targeted children aged two to 16 years with the view to have fun, instill health and wellness from a young age, unite communities while instilling values of fitness, discipline and social cohesion. Madisa said the plan of scheduled activities would cover places such as Ghanzi, Maun, Palapye, Francistown, Gaborone and Jwaneng. Now in its 5thyear running, Madisa said the marathon had to date engaged more than 20,000 children through its main race and activation events.
Last year’s flagship run attracted 2,000 participants at the iconic Three Dikgosi Monument in CBD. Madisa emphasised the importance of the initiative in tackling modern health challenges. “In an era where sedentary habits and lifestyle-related health issues are on the rise, the marathon offers a fun and engaging platform for children to move, play and embrace physical activity,” he said.
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“Through age-appropriate races, wellness education and community events, sport becomes a tool for wellbeing rather than competition alone.” Beyond health, he added, the activation tour was designed as a nation-building exercise. Madisa also said each stop became a community celebration, bringing together children, parents, schools, local authorities, and volunteers. He explained that sport, in this context acted as a universal language, breaking barriers, fostering inclusion and nurturing teamwork and respect.
Madisa added that the programme also supported youth development, teaching discipline, resilience, goal-setting and fair play. For many children, Madisa said the marathon was their first taste of organised sport, sparking interest and opening pathways to future participation and talent development. As the initiative expands nationwide, he said strategic partnerships were vital to sustaining its impact hence calling on stakeholders across the public and private sectors, including health institutions, schools, corporate and community organisations to join forces.
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