As Lesotho gears up to celebrate 60 years of independence, organisers of the annual Minet Independence Marathon have announced significant changes aimed at transforming the event into an even bigger spectacle on the national sporting calendar.
Minet Lesotho has officially launched the third edition of the marathon, which is scheduled to take place on October 3 at the historic Thaba-Bosiu plateau.
With the country preparing to celebrate six decades of freedom, the organisers believe this year’s marathon will not only promote athletics and tourism but also unite Basotho in a celebration of national pride and healthy lifestyles.
In a major strategic shift aimed at expanding the event, Minet Lesotho has partnered with Eventful Moments, a local events management company that will assist with organising and marketing the marathon.
This partnership brings a wealth of recent experience to the table, as Eventful Moments is the force behind the record-breaking success of the 2026 Nedbank Maseru City Run.
That event, which took place in February 2026, attracted a record 3,400 athletes, including members of the Royal Family such as Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso and Prince Lerotholi Seeiso.
The company is also credited with steering the Maseru City Run toward international standards by engaging World Athletics course measurer Norrie Williamson to certify the routes, a move designed to gain global recognition for local races.
Eventful Moments’ Director of Operations Sam Rapapa said his team is determined to use that momentum to significantly increase participation numbers at the Independence Marathon.
“Our employers (Minet) did not give us a target, but we promised them that we would double the participation numbers from last year,” Rapapa said.
He explained that Eventful Moments will oversee technical race matters, logistics, finances and marketing to ensure a successful event. Last year, the race attracted more than 1,400 runners, meaning the team is aiming for close to 3,000 athletes this year.
The marathon has also gained regional recognition after being confirmed as a qualifying event for two of South Africa’s most prestigious races, the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon.
Speaking during the launch in Maseru, Minet Lesotho’s Human Resources Manager Pulane Mokhethi expressed excitement about the continued growth of the event and its alignment with the national independence festivities.
“We are happy that it is going to be big and exciting this year. We have earmarked October 3 and it will coincide with 60th independence celebrations and we are excited about that,” Mokhethi said.
She added that the marathon promotes healthy living while also bringing communities together through sport. “We want to thank all the running clubs who take part in this marathon, everyone who always comes and celebrates with us,” she said.
This year’s edition will feature four race categories, namely the full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km and 5 km races. Prize money for winners is expected to increase slightly, although organisers are yet to announce the final amounts.
Last year, Minet Lesotho and its partners invested approximately M940 000 into the marathon, and organisers have hopes of securing an even larger sponsorship package for the 60th independence celebration.
Summary
- As Lesotho gears up to celebrate 60 years of independence, organisers of the annual Minet Independence Marathon have announced significant changes aimed at transforming the event into an even bigger spectacle on the national sporting calendar.
- With the country preparing to celebrate six decades of freedom, the organisers believe this year’s marathon will not only promote athletics and tourism but also unite Basotho in a celebration of national pride and healthy lifestyles.
- In a major strategic shift aimed at expanding the event, Minet Lesotho has partnered with Eventful Moments, a local events management company that will assist with organising and marketing the marathon.
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.
