CRDB Marathon raises Sh2 billion for child heart surgeries, maternal care and youth projects
The Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson Mwansasu (centre), hands over a check of Sh100 million to the Chief Executive Officer of CCBRT Hospital, Brenda Msangi, to support women with high-risk pregnancies. Also in the photo are the Minister of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi (3rd left); the Minister of Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities, Ridhiwani Kikwete (2nd left); the Acting Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam and Kinondoni District Commissioner, Saad Mtambule (1st left); the Chairman of the CRDB Bank Board, Prof Neema Mori (2nd right); CRDB Bank Chief Executive Officer, Abdulmajid Nsekela (3rd right); and the Chairman of the CRDB Bank Foundation Board, Martin Warioba. The money was raised through the CRDB Marathon, which reached its climax yesterday in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | courtesy
What you need to know:
- Participants competed in a variety of events, including the 42-kilometres full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km races, as well as a 65-kilometer cycling challenge.
Dar es Salaam. The CRDB Marathon has successfully raised Sh2 billion, which will support heart surgeries for children with congenital heart defects, provide treatment for expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies, and fund youth empowerment initiatives through the iMBEJU programme.
The marathon concluded today, August 17, 2025 at The Green Grounds, attracting thousands of runners and sports enthusiasts from across Tanzania and beyond.
Participants competed in a variety of events, including the 42-kilometres full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km races, as well as a 65-kilometer cycling challenge.
The Guest of honour, Speaker of the National Assembly Tulia Ackson Mwansasu, lauded the creativity of the CRDB Bank Foundation in using sports to unite communities while providing critical support to those in need.
She described the marathon as a heartfelt act of compassion that positively impacts the lives of children, mothers, and families, demonstrating how collective effort can transform lives.
CRDB Bank Chief Executive Officer Abdulmajid Nsekela highlighted that this sixth edition of the marathon coincided with the bank’s 30th anniversary, further amplifying its impact across Tanzania and the region.
For the second consecutive year, the marathon was also held in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising funds for health and social welfare projects in those countries.
Nsekela revealed that this year’s marathon attracted more than 16,000 participants and successfully achieved its fundraising target of Sh2 billion.
Of the total, Sh450m has been directed to support vulnerable groups in society: Sh100 million to CCBRT Hospital to aid women with high-risk pregnancies, Sh100 million to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to support heart surgeries for children, and Sh250mn toward youth empowerment programs.
The Executive Director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, Tully Esther Mwambapa, explained that the marathon journey began in Lubumbashi, DRC, where USD 70,000 was raised to enhance services at Ruashi Military Hospital.
The event then moved to Bujumbura, Burundi, collecting BIF 175 million to fund health insurance for more than 58,000 vulnerable people.
Mwambapa said that these achievements were made possible through the solidarity of partner governments, sponsors, and participants, extending special thanks to insurance companies Sanlam Life and Alliance Life, who have been long-term partners of the marathon.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, commended CRDB Bank and its Foundation for consistently organizing the marathon.
He noted that the event not only promotes health and social cohesion but also opens doors to employment and economic opportunities for youth.
Prof Kabudi applauded the provision of attractive prizes for winners, highlighting that such rewards can serve as startup capital for young entrepreneurs.
He assured that the government will continue partnering with stakeholders like CRDB Bank Foundation to make sports a key driver of national development. This year’s marathon winners included Joyloyce Kemuma from Kenya, who claimed the women’s 42-kilometres , and Abraham Kiptum, also from Kenya, who won the men’s 42-kilometer race.
In the 21-kilomettre races, Catherine Syokau of Kenya triumphed in the women’s category, while Joseph Panga of Tanzania took the men’s title. In the 10-kilometer races, Tanzanians Silia Ginoka and Boayi Maganga emerged as winners in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively.
