Juba to Host ‘Run for Peace and Development’ Marathon on July 12

(JUBA) -The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has launched a five-kilometer marathon aimed at promoting peace, healthy living, and community cohesion, with the event scheduled for July 12, 2026, in Juba.

The marathon, dubbed “Run for Peace and Development,” is being organised in partnership with IMAGINE Academy and the Israeli Embassy in South Sudan.

Speaking during the launch on Monday, the State Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, Bush Buse, said the initiative will bring together students, government institutions, communities, and the general public to foster mental and physical well-being, peaceful coexistence, and reconciliation.

“The race aims at bringing participants from schools, communities and government institutions to promote mental and physical well-being, peaceful coexistence and reconciliation,” Buse said.

The race will kick off at 6:00 a.m. from Rainbow Playground in Munuki, following a route along Bilpam Road before turning near the Funeral House and returning to the starting point.

President of the Juba Local Athletics Association, Joseph William Lado, welcomed the initiative, noting that sports play a critical role in fostering unity and emotional well-being among young people and communities.

“We are pleased to organise this event so that we can have emotional peace in our minds among the youth and within the community,” Lado said.

He confirmed that registration is already underway at Buluk Playground and is free of charge, encouraging the public to participate in large numbers.

“We are inviting the public and the community to come along so that we run together,” he said, adding that the theme emphasises the importance of peace.

In preparation for the event, organisers have scheduled weekly training sessions every Saturday at Buluk Playground to help participants get ready.

The marathon is also expected to serve as a platform for identifying young athletic talent. Lado explained that promising runners could be selected for further development through IMAGINE Academy, which specialises in nurturing athletic skills.

IMAGINE Academy coach Björn Simon Wojc also encouraged residents to take part, stressing that the race is open to everyone who is physically fit.

“Even if you do not run, you can walk and participate because the theme is peace. Coming together is peace itself,” he said.

Participants will receive free T-shirts upon registration, while awards and medals will be presented across 12 competition categories.

Addressing safety concerns, Minister Buse assured the public that adequate security arrangements have been put in place, with support from police and other organised forces. First-aid services will also be provided through volunteers and partners, including the South Sudan Red Cross Society.

Organisers made a special appeal to women and girls to participate actively. Esther Owino, a resource mobiliser at IMAGINE Academy, emphasised the importance of female representation in athletics.

“As women, we want to show up in this male-dominated field and run together,” she said.

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, Buse described sports as a powerful tool for peacebuilding, especially amid the country’s ongoing economic and political challenges.

“The responsibility of peace is in everyone’s hands,” he said. “I call upon everybody to come on that day and provide a positive gesture of being one people and being South Sudanese.”

The marathon is expected to attract hundreds of participants, including government officials, students, athletes, community leaders, and residents from across Juba.