MASERU — The Adventist Athletics Club (AAC) will host its first AAC Run Your City 10KM race on September 13.

Organisers are targeting 300 participants. The goal is to promote healthy lifestyles and grow athletics in Lesotho.
The race will start and finish at Pioneer Mall. Runners will go through the streets of Maseru.

Organisers said the event is the start of the AAC race series. They plan to make it an annual event. In future they also want to take it to other districts.

Speaking about the initiative, AAC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Sam Ntene said the club was established in 2012. It has since expanded beyond its original base, with activities in several countries in the region. He said AAC was launched in Lesotho in 2016. Since then it has grown its membership a lot. The club now has more than 1,000 members across its wider network.

Mr. Ntene said the club caters for both elite and ordinary runners. Its main focus is exercise, fitness and healthy living. He added that AAC also wants its sporting activities to reflect its values. Prayer is an important part of the club's events.

According to Mr. Ntene, running is growing in Lesotho. The growth is clear in Maseru, where more people are taking up the sport for recreation and fitness. He said AAC is proud to have helped grow the running culture. He noted that some people who went on to start their own running clubs got their start in AAC.

Mr. Ntene said the popularity of running is good because it gives people a healthy and constructive way to spend their time. He added that the club hopes the Run Your City race will give Basotho a memorable racing experience. More details about the event's sponsors will be announced as preparations continue.

Meanwhile, AAC coach Mr. Tumelo Majorobela said the idea for a 10KM race came from discussions on how the club could do more than just regular training.

Mr. Majorobela said the club chose the 10KM distance on purpose. The distance can include both experienced runners and people running their first serious race.

He said the club's main goal is to encourage people to live healthier lives. This will help reduce lifestyle-related diseases through regular physical activity.

“People who exercise regularly can improve their health and reduce the burden associated with lifestyle diseases,” Majorobela said.

He said AAC wants to use athletics as a practical tool. The aim is to encourage healthier lifestyles and build a culture where physical activity is part of daily life.

Mr. Majorobela said the club also wants the initiative to grow beyond Maseru. He also said that there are plans to take similar races to other parts of the country.

Registration for the race was supposed to close earlier. It has now been extended to August 28. Interested participants can register and pay through M-Pesa or EcoCash.

Also speaking on the initiative, Maseru District Secretary-General of athletics, Mr. Mosiuoa 'Moso, praised AAC for working with other clubs in the district.

Mr. 'Moso said the club has shown growth and good organisation. He added that its links with athletes and clubs outside Lesotho show it has grown beyond being just a Maseru club.

He welcomed the planned 10KM race. He said if it succeeds, it could lead to similar events in other districts.
Mr. 'Moso also called on the business community to support athletics. He said sponsorship is important for developing athletes and sporting events. He added that there is a need to get children involved in athletics. Developing young athletes is key to the future of the sport.

The Run Your City race is therefore more than just one event for AAC. The club sees it as a platform to promote fitness, develop runners, strengthen cooperation among athletics clubs, and help the sport grow in Lesotho.

With the September race as the first event in the planned AAC series, organisers say they hope to build it into a sustainable annual event. The long-term goal is to take it to communities beyond Maseru.