Record-Breaking Kansanshi Marathon Puts Solwezi on Global Sporting Map
A record-breaking 2,300 runners will compete in the 2025 Kansanshi Marathon this weekend in Solwezi, Zambia, making it the biggest public sporting event to ever take place in the North-Western Province.
Beyond being a race, this year’s edition signifies a significant move towards inclusivity and international recognition. For the first time in Zambian marathon history, the event will feature two dedicated race categories for persons with disabilities. With 28 athletes with disabilities registered, the marathon is breaking barriers and setting a new standard for accessible sports in the region.
Runners from nine countries—including Zambia, France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Kenya, the DRC, the United States, and Zimbabwe—will participate, showcasing the increasing international participation in the Kansanshi Marathon and enhancing Solwezi’s reputation as a developing center for international sport.
Additionally, Zambia’s elite athletes, Elizabeth Mukoloma and Edward Mwale, will use the 42-kilometre marathon as part of their final preparations for the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Their presence brings prestige and anticipation to this already ground-breaking event.
“This year’s Kansanshi Marathon is more than a sporting fixture—it’s a celebration of inclusion, international friendship, and community spirit,” said Eugin Kasempa, Kansanshi Mine’s Community Sports Officer. “We’re not just hosting a marathon—we’re reshaping what competitive sport looks like in Zambia.”
With the help of Kansanshi Mining PLC, the event was organised and is a shining example of health, opportunity, and unity, demonstrating the transformative power of sport in society.
