THE 23rd edition of the prestigious Kilimanjaro Premium Lager International Marathon 2025 was on Friday launched at Salinero - Kilimanjaro at an event that brought together different stakeholders ahead of the February 23, 2025 event.

Speaking during the event, the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, who was represented by the Kilimanjaro Regional Administrative Secretary, Kiseo Yusuf Nzowa, pledged more government support to the event and lauded sponsors and organizers for the success that the event has had over the past 23 years hence putting Moshi and Tanzania in general on the world map.

The RC further lauded the event for its contribution in promoting sports tourism and the economy of Moshi and Kilimanjaro Region in general. 

“We are proud of the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Marathon as it has proved to be one of the biggest international events in the region as it brings together over 12,000 participants and an equal number of spectators from more than 56 countries and all these are potential tourists. This is such a big milestone,” said the RC, adding that no other event can match Kilimanjaro Marathon in terms of turn out and impact on the economy.

He said there is dire need for all the involved stakeholders to work closely together in exploring ways of ensuring benefits from the huge event are maximized and that the marathon continues to grow year after year.

“We have been hosting the marathon for 23 years now and the impact affects almost all families in Moshi and its surroundings as there is always booming business including all hotels and lodges being fully booked. I call on all business people to observe quality of their products and services to ensure visitors get value for money,” said Babu. 

“I congratulate all the sponsors led by Kilimanjaro Premium Lager (main sponsor) and YAS Kili International Half Marathon (21km) and CRDB Bank 5Km Fun Run. Supporting sponsors – Simba Cement, Kilimanjaro Water, TotalEnergies, and TPC Sugar Ltd. 

“Official suppliers - GardaWorld Security, CMC Automobiles, Salinero Hotels- Kilimanjaro, Kibo Palace Hotel and Keys Hotel. Without you it would not be easy,” he said as he also called on Tanzanians to prepare for the international event to ensure most of the prizes remain home.

Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) Marketing Director, Khensani Mkhombo, expressed the company's pride in having sponsored the event for the past 23 years through Kilimanjaro Premium Lager, making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in Tanzania. 

She emphasized that their support has been driven by a deep commitment to promoting Tanzanian tourism and culture - goals that the event has consistently championed.

“We’ve witnessed the event grow year after year, and we are thrilled to have played a role in promoting not only athletics but also tourism,” Mkhombo stated. 

“This year, we’re taking the Marathon experience to the next level as we continue to expand our full weekend celebration. From Friday to Sunday, we will host the widely anticipated Kilimanjaro Concerts, and we’re certain our consumers will be amazed by the incredible 3-day experience we’ve planned. 

“Along with that, we’re supporting small businesses, local pubs, and bars with various promotions to ensure the event is about much more than just Race Day," she added.

Regarding the 2025 prizes, Mkhombo shared that Kilimanjaro Premium Lager will contribute a total of Tsh 30 million. The first male and female winners of the 42km race will each receive Tsh 5.5 million, while the first Tanzanian male and female finishers will be awarded bonus prizes of Tsh 550,000 each.

Reflecting on the event’s long-standing partnership with Athletics Tanzania, Mkhombo noted: "Our mission has always been not only to promote athletics and identify emerging talent, but also to bring people together to celebrate the excitement and camaraderie such an event fosters. 

“We are extremely proud of what we’ve achieved over the years."

On his part, the YAS Chief Commercial Officer, Isack Nchunda, said: "We are proud to mark a decade of sponsoring the 21km category of the Kili Marathon 2025, a race that brings together over 6,500 runners, including some of Africa’s finest athletes. 

“This milestone reflects our deep commitment to supporting sports and championing excellence.”

He said this year, runners and spectators alike can expect an elevated experience, from top-tier race organization to an electrifying atmosphere. 

“We also encourage all athletes to secure their spot early by registering via Mixx by YAS, formerly Tigo Pesa, our seamless mobile payment platform. Let’s make Kili Marathon 2025 a race to remember - full of energy, resilience, and triumph!" he added.

CRDB Bank’s North Zone Business Manager, David Peter, said they are proud to be associated with the Kilimanjaro International Marathon, one of the biggest sporting events in the country that has been on the frontline in promoting healthy lifestyles, tourism and business in general, especially in the Kilimanjaro region and for the Moshi residents where the race happens every year.

“To us, this is the right platform to promote our bank as we expect to reach many Tanzanians in Moshi and the surrounding areas and engage them through the CRDB Bank 5Km Fun Run,” he added and urged participants to register in numbers as CRDB looks forward to use the platform to engage as many customers as possible.

The event organisers thanked the headline sponsors Kilimanjaro Premium Lager and YAS for setting aside a total purse of Tsh53 million in prize money for the Full and the Half Marathon and their various prize categories. 

The organizers also said that the event will this year also be supporting the Tumaini la Maisha (TLM) charity that aims to reach every child in Tanzania who develops cancer, and treat them with high quality cancer treatment free of charge with the hope for a continued and healthy life, adding that the event will set aside 5% from every entry paid for and it will go towards the charity.

All money donated to TLM in the 2025 event will go towards The Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre [KCMC] in Moshi, to support the Children Cancer Ward.

“KCMC is an important partner to the marathon due to its medical support at the event and the finish area each year and the support on 

route as the runners pass by the hospital on race day,” said the organisers.

The Kilimanjaro Premium Lager International Marathon, which will be held on Sunday, February 23, at the Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU), is organized by the Kilimanjaro Marathon Company Limited and locally coordinated by Executive Solutions Limited. 

Wild Frontiers Events are responsible for all the inbound travel and international marketing of the event.