The Race Director of the ‘Street Child’ Sierra Leone Marathon, Alusine Kanu has identified April 30th as the date set aside for the 2023 edition race day.

Kanu made this disclosure on Monday, 6th March 2023 at the Clubhouse Bar in Magburaka Road Makeni, as reported by Newsfeed.

“We have just had the first stakeholders meeting, the journey continues because we always believe in early preparation and I’m on the verge of establishing the SL Marathon Makeni team for this year’s edition to be in a grand style,” he remarked.

However, he indicated that there will be an increment in the signing-up fee also new measures including Kobo payment, as well as either Orange Money or Afrimoney.

“This is to make the process easier for the runners especially when over the years many of them have been waiting for the eve of the event to do both their signing-up and registration, the headquarters is trying to finalize some other processes and we will duly clarify any challenge runners might be encountered with this new system,” he asserted.

Holly Jackman from the United Kingdom who will be in Sierra Leone for three months in her part stated that there will also be online registration, especially for international runners while they are currently working on the calendar of activities for the five-day event, and not limited to effective marketing among other strategies to achieve a landmark 2023 edition.

Between April and May, Street Child organizes the Sierra Leone Marathon, a unique event where hundreds of runners travel to Sierra Leone and run for charity. You don’t have to run a full marathon, you can choose between 5k, 10k, half marathon, or even volunteer during race day! The run takes place in Makeni, the third largest city in Sierra Leone, where Street Child started its first projects in 2008. Participants run on both paved and dirt roads through the jungle and small villages, where locals cheer them on and kids line up to high-five them as they pass through.

Profit from the event will be dedicated to Street Child’s projects. As they believe that every child has the right to a healthy life, a safe home, and a quality education.

Compared to other international marathons The Sierra Leone Marathon is great value with packages starting at only £499 (€589) per person. Packages include all your accommodation, travel within Sierra Leone, food, race entry, and race/medical support for the duration of your trip.