Pius Ayinor
Run Club Abuja (RCA) is set for its 6th Annual Charity Half Marathon scheduled for July 11. The proceeds from the event are dedicated to providing life-saving neonatal equipment for two public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory.
Organisers say the intervention aims to strengthen healthcare services and reduce infant mortality by equipping hospitals in some rural communities with critical medical equipment valued at ₦12.4 million.
Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Peju Lawanson, said the annual event has grown beyond a fitness challenge into a platform for community development, encouraging Nigerians to unite behind a cause that directly improves lives.
She noted that every participant, volunteer, and donor would contribute towards giving newborn babies a better chance of survival, describing the initiative as an opportunity for citizens to help build a healthier future for the next generation.
The half marathon, themed “Run with Rhythm”, is expected to attract about 1,000 participants competing in the 21.1km, 10km, and 5km races.
President of The Club, Buchi Onyegbule, told newsmen that selling out all the event slots is a recognition of the trust reposed in the RCA by the fitness community and change makers across the country and beyond. This year saw an increase in virtual participants who registered from beyond the country’s shores and continent.
Onyegbule added that Run Club Abuja prioritises runners’ safety and welfare, and the club has ensured that all necessary safety precautions will be put in place, with ample hydration and beautiful medals at the finish line. The kit pick-up will also feature some health checks for participants who opt in for the service.
Returning as headline sponsor for the third consecutive year, Norrenberger Financial Group said its continued support reflects confidence in the event’s measurable social impact and its commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Edeh, said the partnership had evolved from a sponsorship into a long-term investment in community development, noting that the organisation supports initiatives that deliver tangible and accountable outcomes.
According to him, the equipment to be procured through this year’s race will help save the lives of mothers and newborns, demonstrating how private sector partnerships can complement public healthcare efforts.
Also speaking, the company’s Group Head of Strategy and Sustainability, Amani Momodu, described maternal and neonatal health as a pressing national challenge requiring sustained collaboration between the private sector, civil society and community organisations.
He said the partnership aligns with Norrenberger’s sustainability commitments and contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being through measurable community impact.
Beyond promoting fitness, the annual charity marathon has become a platform for mobilising citizens, businesses and development partners to invest in healthcare, reinforcing the role of collective action in national development.
Extrasportnigeria 
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