Athletics Malawi is racing against time to close an outstanding MK8 million gap in its budget for the Blantyre 42.195km Marathon, even after landing a major MK7.5 million sponsorship from Zamara Pensions Administrators Limited just weeks before the race.
The funding update came during a press briefing held in Blantyre on Thursday, where organisers laid out how far the Zamara deal has gone in easing the marathon’s finances — and how much ground is still left to cover.
According to Chifundo Tenthani, Chairperson of the Blantyre 42.195km Marathon Organising Committee, the event had been staring down a MK15 million shortfall before Zamara stepped in. The new sponsorship has cut that gap roughly in half, but the committee says it cannot afford to relax.
“We are thankful to Zamara for the sponsorship. Previously, we had a MK15 million shortfall, and with the coming of Zamara, it will help us. We are very happy. The shortfall has been reduced significantly,” Tenthani said.
Even with the relief, Tenthani was blunt about what remains: organisers are still about MK8 million short of a fully funded race, and time is running out to plug the hole.
“We are still hoping to secure other sponsorships because we have a MK7.5 million shortfall. But if we are not able to secure the additional sponsorship, then we can work on other ways. It is our plea to the corporate world to partner with us for the race. We are short by about MK8 million,” he said.
That appeal is now squarely aimed at Malawi’s corporate sector, with organisers hoping more businesses will follow Zamara’s lead before the marathon gets underway this month.
The Zamara sponsorship itself was framed less as a straightforward cash donation and more as an extension of the company’s business philosophy. Yamikani Kuoge, Manager for Consulting and Operations at Zamara Pensions Administrators Limited, said the firm sees physical wellbeing as inseparable from financial planning.
“We are delighted to partner with Athletics Malawi on the Blantyre 42.195km race this year. Basically, we have come with a sponsorship of MK7.5 million, and we believe that it is in line with our values,” Kuoge said.
He argued that retirement planning falls short if it only accounts for money. “Our philosophy is that retirement is not only about finances, it is also about being healthy. There is no point in saving for retirement and then using all the money for medical bills. We believe that as one is preparing for retirement financially, they should also prepare in terms of their health and overall lifelong wellness,” he said.
Kuoge added that the race’s “sports for all” theme was central to Zamara’s decision to get involved, alongside the broader community benefits it could bring to Blantyre.
Whether the remaining MK8 million materialises could have a direct bearing on the scale and polish of an event organisers have billed as one of the country’s biggest sporting occasions. Tenthani has signalled that if the shortfall isn’t closed through fresh sponsorships, the committee will need to find “other ways” to make the numbers work — a scenario organisers are clearly hoping to avoid.
The marathon’s three race categories remain as planned. The 42.195km Full Marathon is aimed at elite runners and carries a registration fee of MK15,000. The 10km Race, designed for fitness enthusiasts, costs MK10,000 to enter. And the 5km Fun Run, pegged at MK5,000, is set aside for corporate teams, schools and families looking to take part without tackling the longer distances.
The event, themed “Embrace the Challenge,” is organised by Athletics Malawi in collaboration with the Malawi National Council of Sports and is set for September 27 to start at 6:00 AM in Blantyre City. The exact route has not yet been announced.
Organisers say the marathon is meant to do more than raise money — it is also positioned as a platform to identify elite athletes for regional competition, and as a vehicle for promoting health, unity and community engagement in Blantyre.
