Avani Hotels and Resorts has launched the AvaniFit 2026 Marathon, dangling a total prize purse of M150,000 as it seeks to establish one of Lesotho’s biggest annual endurance and lifestyle events while boosting sports tourism and corporate participation.
The marathon, themed “Run Your Story,” will take place on 17 October 2026, starting and finishing at the Avani Lesotho Hotel and Casino in Maseru. It is expected to attract elite athletes, amateur runners, corporate teams and fitness enthusiasts from Lesotho and across the Southern African region.
Participants will compete in four race categories – the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race and a 5km fun run – providing opportunities for runners of different ages and fitness levels.
Launching the event on Friday, Avani Lesotho General Manager Letsoso Mohasoa described the marathon as more than a race, saying it combines sport, wellness and premium hospitality.
“Partner with Lesotho’s premier endurance and lifestyle event, where the city runs at its best. AvaniFit 2026 is a fitness and lifestyle event designed to attract professional athletes, amateur runners, corporate teams and health-conscious communities from across Lesotho and the region,” Mohasoa said.
He said participants will receive exclusive post-race hospitality experiences, including a specially curated breakfast, a pool party at Avani Maseru and complimentary access to the hotel’s swimming pool and sauna facilities.
Mohasoa said the marathon also offers businesses a platform to market their brands through sponsorship packages ranging from M10,000 to M100,000. Sponsorship categories include Platinum (M100,000), Gold (M50,000), Silver (M25,000) and Bronze (M10,000), with the latter two also available through in-kind contributions.
He said sponsors would benefit from extensive visibility through marketing campaigns, regional media coverage, branding on the AvaniFit website and on-site activations during the event.
“All confirmed sponsors, regardless of their tier, will benefit from a robust visibility platform that includes inclusion in all event marketing campaigns and regional media coverage, official logo placement on the AvaniFit website, and on-site brand activations during moments of celebration, recovery and community interaction,” Mohasoa said.
He encouraged companies to secure sponsorships early, saying limited slots and category exclusivity would reward early commitments with premium brand positioning before promotional campaigns are finalised.
“Every runner receives exclusive access to Avani’s hospitality offering, ensuring extended engagement with sponsor brands beyond race day. These touchpoints provide repeated, positive brand exposure during moments of celebration, recovery and community interaction,” he said.
To ensure the event meets competitive standards, veteran Lesotho athletes Thabiso Moqhali and Peete Maphephe will provide technical support in planning and delivering the marathon.
Lesotho National Olympic Committee president Morake Raleaka welcomed the inclusion of a children’s race, saying it would help develop future athletes and strengthen the country’s sporting pipeline.
The AvaniFit 2026 Marathon is expected to add to Lesotho’s growing road running calendar while promoting healthy lifestyles, tourism and corporate engagement through a festival that blends elite competition with hospitality and community participation.
Summary
- Avani Hotels and Resorts has launched the AvaniFit 2026 Marathon, dangling a total prize purse of M150,000 as it seeks to establish one of Lesotho’s biggest annual endurance and lifestyle events while boosting sports tourism and corporate participation.
- He said participants will receive exclusive post-race hospitality experiences, including a specially curated breakfast, a pool party at Avani Maseru and complimentary access to the hotel’s swimming pool and sauna facilities.
- “All confirmed sponsors, regardless of their tier, will benefit from a robust visibility platform that includes inclusion in all event marketing campaigns and regional media coverage, official logo placement on the AvaniFit website, and on-site brand activations during moments of celebration, recovery and community interaction,” Mohasoa said.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
