Arusha to host inaugural Cape to Cairo marathon next month
What you need to know:
- The marathon will feature various prominent runners from across the country competing for top honours
Arusha. The new full-length international marathon titled the “Cape to Cairo Arusha Marathon” is set to make its grand debut on June 1 in Arusha.
The marathon will feature various prominent runners from across the country competing for top honours, according to Tim Mdinka of Sports and Tourism Events (SATE).
Mdinka said the event aims to promote intra-African tourism, foster unity across the continent, and showcase the transformative power of sports as a vehicle for economic and cultural development.
He noted that the event will include a full 42-kilometre race, a half marathon (21 km), and additional short-distance races of 10 and 5 kilometres.
The races will start and finish at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium. “Unlike typical regional races that focus solely on half marathons, this event stands out by boldly introducing a full marathon format to the northern tourism corridor of Tanzania.
This marathon is a strategic platform to drive intra-African tourism, unlock investment opportunities, and signal the start of the high tourism season in East Africa,” said Mdinka.
The 2025 edition carries the theme: “Promoting Intra-African Tourism through Sports,” aligning with a growing continental movement that views sports and adventure travel as catalysts for sustainable development and cross-cultural engagement.
Arusha, widely regarded as the safari capital of East Africa, sits strategically along the Great North Road between Cape Town and Cairo. The city is surrounded by globally celebrated destinations, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.
To enhance participants’ experiences and promote the local economy, the marathon’s organizing committee has curated a series of pre-race activities such as guided city tours, hikes to hidden waterfalls, visits to coffee estates, and cultural excursions to Maasai communities and local markets.
On race day, the starting venue will also host a tourism and investment expo, bringing together stakeholders from across the tourism value chain—from grassroots entrepreneurs to major investors.
