Simba Sports Club will mark its 90th anniversary with the inaugural Simba Marathon, bringing together athletes, fans and fitness enthusiasts in a three-category race in Dar es Salaam on October 4, 2026.
The event will feature 5-kilometre, 10-kilometre and 21-kilometre races, with the starting point at Coco Beach.
Simba spokesperson Ahmed Ally said the marathon forms part of a wider programme of activities to celebrate the club’s nine decades, while using sport beyond football to engage its growing fan base.
He said the initiative was designed to take Simba’s anniversary celebrations beyond the football pitch and create an opportunity for the club to connect with people through athletics.
“This time, we decided to move beyond football and introduce an event involving another sport and different groups of people. That is how we came up with the Simba Marathon,” Mr Ally said.
He stressed that the event would be organised as a formal road race rather than a routine jogging exercise, with technical arrangements expected to meet the standards required for marathon competitions.
The club also hopes to attract athletics enthusiasts who may not necessarily be football fans, helping Simba broaden its reach beyond its traditional supporter base.
Mr Ally said proceeds from the marathon would also contribute to supporting former Simba players who are facing financial and other challenges.
Participants will pay Sh45,000, which will cover a Simba Sports Club jersey, a race medal and a race number.
The organisers will award prizes to the top three finishers in each race category, while entertainment activities will be held at the venue to add to the event’s appeal.
“The participation fee is Sh45,000, and participants will receive a jersey, medal and race number. Even those who cannot take part can contribute Sh45,000 to support our former players in need,” Mr Ally said.
Registration has already opened through the event’s online platform, simbasc.tukiio.com. The club has also invited athletes and potential sponsors to engage with its management ahead of the event.
Dar es Salaam Athletics Association (DAA) secretary-general Felix Chunga welcomed the initiative, saying the marathon could eventually develop into a major international athletics event.
Mr Chunga said the association would work closely with Simba and the organisers to ensure the race meets the necessary technical and regulatory requirements.
He said the event would not only provide athletes with a competitive platform but could also deliver broader social and community benefits.
The marathon is expected to form one of the major sporting highlights of Simba’s 90th anniversary celebrations, as the club seeks to use its milestone year to strengthen its connection with supporters and the wider sporting community.