Dr. Tulia impressed as CRDB Bank Marathon raises TZS 450 million to support health and community empowerment

Thousands of runners and sports enthusiasts from within and outside Tanzania gathered today at The Green Grounds, Oysterbay, to take part in the 2025 CRDB Bank Marathon, a charity race which this year raised TZS 2 billion to support heart surgeries for children with congenital heart defects, treatment for expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies, and youth empowerment through the iMBEJU programme. Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson Mwansasu, led the thousands of participants in this sixth season of the CRDB Bank Marathon. In her remarks, Dr. Tulia commended the creativity of CRDB Bank Foundation in uniting communities through sports while supporting those in need, describing the marathon as an act of compassion that touches many lives. “Our participation in the CRDB Bank Marathon is an act of kindness that brings comfort to children, mothers, and their families. It is proof that when we come together, we can transform lives,” she said. Delivering his remarks, Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, applauded CRDB Bank and CRDB Bank Foundation for consistently organising the marathon. He said: “The CRDB Bank Marathon has not only promoted health and social cohesion, but has also created employment and economic opportunities for our youth. Sports is a sector that can change lives, and I truly commend the initiative of awarding generous prizes to the winners. These are opportunities that can serve as start-up capital for businesses and help improve the livelihoods of our young people. The Government will continue to work with stakeholders such as CRDB Bank Foundation to ensure that sports remain a catalyst for national development.” For his part, CRDB Bank Group CEO, Abdulmajid Nsekela, noted that the sixth season of the CRDB Bank Marathon coincided with the Bank’s 30th anniversary celebrations and continued to expand its impact within and beyond Tanzania. For the second time, the marathon was also held in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising funds for health and community welfare projects in those countries. Nsekela added that this year’s event attracted more than 16,000 participants and successfully met the target of raising TZS 2 billion to support heart surgeries for children, safe deliveries for mothers with high-risk pregnancies, and youth empowerment initiatives. Speaking while announcing the race results, CRDB Bank Foundation Managing Director, Tully Esther Mwambapa, explained that the sixth season journey began in Lubumbashi, DRC, where USD 70,000 was raised to improve health services at Ruashi Military Hospital, and continued to Bujumbura, Burundi, where BIF 175 million was raised to provide health insurance to over 58,000 underprivileged people, particularly orphans. Mwambapa stressed that these achievements were the result of exceptional cooperation among the participating governments, sponsors, and runners, and extended her appreciation to all partners, including insurance companies Sanlam Life and Alliance Life, who have been part of the marathon since its inception. This year’s winners in Tanzania were: in the 42 km race, women’s winner was Joyloyce Kemuma from Kenya, and men’s winner was Abraham Kiptum from Kenya; in the 21 km race, women’s winner was Catherine Syokau from Kenya, and men’s winner was Joseph Panga from Tanzania; and in the 10 km race, women’s winner was Silia Ginoka from Tanzania, and men’s winner was Boayi Maganga from Tanzania. Joseph Panga, winner of the men’s 21 km race, expressed his joy in participating in the event and emphasised that his victory was part of efforts to support heart surgeries for children and treatment for mothers with high-risk pregnancies at CCBRT Hospital. “As a Tanzanian, I feel great pride in taking part in spreading smiles to children and mothers. It is important for people to understand that good health is the right of every child, and no mother should lose her life while giving birth. We thank CRDB Bank Foundation for bringing us together in this life-saving mission,” he said. The CRDB Bank Marathon has become an important platform for driving social welfare in the East and Central Africa region, recently earning international recognition by winning the award for the best financial institution platform in supporting communities.