Heavy Weight Sports Promotion has launched the Heavy Weight Plus Size Marathon, scheduled for December 27, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, in a move aimed at promoting inclusive participation in sports, encouraging regular exercise and improving the health and well-being of people with larger body sizes.
The marathon seeks to create a welcoming environment for participants who often face barriers to joining running events, while promoting self-confidence, social inclusion and healthier lifestyles through physical activity.
Speaking during the launch on October 12, 2026, guest of honour Liwewa Taifa, Secretary-General of West Coast Shotokan Karate Tanzania and representative of the West Coast Shotokan Karate Association, stressed the importance of making exercise a regular part of everyday life.
Taifa said physical training was essential for maintaining fitness and strengthening the body, adding that people of all ages should be encouraged to remain physically active.
He cited examples from Asian countries, where older people aged 68 and above regularly jog in the mornings to maintain their fitness and overall well-being.
“Many diseases can be prevented or their risks reduced through a consistent routine of physical exercise,” he said.
Taifa also welcomed plans to include special races for children, noting that introducing young people to physical activity could help them develop healthy habits and recognise their sporting potential from an early age.
Heavy Weight Sports Promotion Executive Director Tullo Chambo said the initiative was designed to address the challenges faced by people with larger body sizes, who may feel excluded, discriminated against or discouraged from participating in sporting activities, particularly running competitions.
He said the organisers wanted to make the marathon more than a one-day sporting event by turning it into a sustainable movement that promotes acceptance, confidence and equal opportunities in sports.
“Our vision is to create an environment where people with larger body sizes feel welcomed, respected and confident enough to participate in sports without fear of discrimination,” Chambo said.
He added that the initiative would also use sports as a platform to bring communities together, encourage active lifestyles and promote greater understanding and acceptance of people of different body sizes.
Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam Athletics Association (DAA) Vice-Chairperson Mwalimu Elizabeth Tungaraza welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards making athletics more accessible to groups that are often overlooked.
Tungaraza said the marathon would provide an opportunity for participants to improve their health, discover their sporting abilities and take part in activities that promote social interaction and community engagement.
She particularly highlighted the planned participation of schoolchildren with larger body sizes, saying the event would give them an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, exercise and build friendships with other children.
“Through this marathon, children with larger body sizes will have an opportunity to showcase their talents, participate in physical activities and interact with their peers. This will help them build friendships, develop confidence and overcome feelings of isolation,” she said.
Tungaraza added that the initiative aligns with the association’s objectives of promoting physical fitness, supporting the development of sporting talent and expanding opportunities for people from different backgrounds to participate in athletics.
The Heavy Weight Plus Size Marathon is expected to provide a platform for participants to embrace physical activity in a supportive environment while raising awareness about the importance of inclusive sports and community-based approaches to health and well-being.
Through the event, the organisers hope to encourage more people to take up exercise, challenge negative attitudes towards body size and demonstrate that sporting opportunities should be accessible to everyone.