Watoto Juba City Marathon to Feature 21km, 10km and 5km Races

By Jenifer James

The Watoto Juba City Marathon will take to the streets of the capital on October 3, featuring three races while raising funds to support vulnerable women through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, financial literacy and start-up capital.

The annual event will feature a 21-kilometre half marathon, a 10-kilometre race and a 5-kilometre race, organisers have announced.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, Marko Akol, Secretary General of the South Sudan Athletics Federation, said the event will mark the first time the federation has organised three races on the same day.

Akol said preparations for the marathon have been completed, including route measurement, route clearance and security arrangements.

“We measured the route. The route is clear. Security, everything will be in place,” Akol said.

The races will begin early in the morning, with organisers encouraging interested participants to register and take part in the event.

The Watoto Juba City Marathon is an annual initiative of Watoto Church Juba aimed at raising funds for its Neighborhood Programme, which supports vulnerable women through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, financial literacy and start-up capital.

The programme seeks to help women establish sustainable livelihoods and become financially self-reliant.

Pastor Richard Menya of Watoto Church said the initiative focuses on mothers facing abandonment, rejection and difficulties in providing for their children.

“We knew that we are the people that need to be at the forefront to fight for the dignity and for the transformation of our mothers in the community,” Menya said.

He said supporting vulnerable mothers requires significant resources, but added that even small acts of support can give women hope and restore their confidence in their ability to provide for their families.

Menya said the marathon is intended to demonstrate solidarity with mothers who struggle daily to provide food, care and a sense of home for their children.

“As we run every mile, as we run, as we sweat, we are running with hope so that a mother will get a chance at life,” he said.

He explained that the word HOPE represents four key themes of the initiative: healing, opportunities, people and empathy.

According to Menya, some mothers who have participated in the programme have acquired skills that have enabled them to identify business opportunities and improve their livelihoods.

This year’s marathon aims to raise funds to support 250 mothers, who will receive training, skills development and start-up capital, followed by continued support to help them establish businesses and generate income for their families.

Menya said the “Run with Hope” campaign is therefore intended not only as a sporting event but also as an expression of solidarity with vulnerable mothers and their children.