Manja Pamodzi — Together, We Can Achieve Great Things
On 23 May 2026, the fairways and grounds of Nchanga Golf Club became the centre of one of Chingola's biggest community sporting celebrations as thousands of runners, families, athletes, fitness enthusiasts and supporters came together for the KCM Marathon 2026.
Proudly sponsored by Konkola Copper Mines Plc, the marathon brought the spirit of “Manja Pamodzi” Together, We Can Achieve Great Things to life, transforming race day into a celebration of health, endurance, unity and community.
The event started at 05:00, with Nchanga Golf Club serving as the official venue and starting point.
A Marathon for Everyone
The 2026 edition was designed to make participation accessible to people with different abilities and levels of experience. The programme included the 5km, 10km, 15km, 21km and 42km races, alongside an Executive Walk, a children's event and a dedicated category for differently abled participants.
From seasoned athletes taking on the full marathon to children experiencing the excitement of organised running for the first time, the event created a platform where everyone could participate in their own way.
The response from Chingola was remarkable. Registrations ultimately sold out, with all available places filled ahead of race day a powerful indication of the community's enthusiasm for fitness and the growing stature of the KCM Marathon.
Manja Pamodzi: The Spirit of the Marathon
The 2026 theme captured the essence of the event perfectly.
Manja Pamodzi is about recognising that some of our greatest achievements are possible when we work together. On race day, this spirit could be seen everywhere from runners encouraging one another along the route to volunteers, medical teams, marshals, sponsors, families and spectators working together to create a successful event.
KCM described sport as a powerful force for bringing communities together, highlighting its ability to transcend differences and create shared experiences. The company contributed US$40,000 towards the 2026 marathon, with the event forming part of its wider commitment to community development and social impact.
More Than a Race
The KCM Marathon was conceived as more than a sporting competition.
At its heart was a commitment to health, wellness and community development. The event encouraged participants to become more physically active while creating an environment where families, corporate teams, professional athletes and recreational runners could share the same starting line.
Participants were supported by organised routes, hydration stations, medical assistance and race marshals, helping create a safe and professionally managed race experience.
For Chingola, the marathon also represented an opportunity to showcase the city and its people. The enthusiastic participation demonstrated the appetite for major sporting events that bring communities together and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Investing in Nchanga Golf Club
An important part of the 2026 marathon's legacy was its contribution to the continued development of Nchanga Golf Club.
The marathon was launched with a specific community development objective: to raise funds towards improvements to the club's infrastructure, including the development of changing rooms and other facilities.
This created a meaningful connection between the marathon and the club's wider vision. The event did not simply use Nchanga Golf Club as a venue it contributed towards developing the facility for the benefit of golfers, athletes, families and the wider community.
The marathon also continued the growing relationship between KCM and Nchanga Golf Club, which has included support for sporting development and the revival of junior golf.
A Celebration of Chingola
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the KCM Marathon 2026 was the atmosphere created by the people of Chingola.
The course became a meeting point for people from different backgrounds and generations. Runners arrived with personal goals some chasing times, some chasing medals, and others simply determined to finish. But once the race began, everyone became part of the same story.
The sold out response, community participation and support along the route demonstrated that the KCM Marathon has developed beyond an annual race. It is becoming a community movement centred on wellness, togetherness and positive living.
A Legacy Beyond the Finish Line
As the final runners crossed the finish line, the 2026 KCM Marathon left behind more than race results.
It left memories.
It inspired people to move.
It brought families together.
It gave athletes a platform to challenge themselves.
It created opportunities for young people.
And it strengthened the connection between sport and community development in Chingola.
For Nchanga Golf Club, hosting the KCM Marathon represents another important chapter in our evolution from a historic golf institution into a vibrant community destination for sport, wellness, family and connection.
The 2026 edition proved the power of the words that defined it:
MANJA PAMODZI.
Together, We Can Achieve Great Things.
And as we look towards the future, the journey continues.
Nchanga Golf Club est. 1936
Where Champions Are Made and Memories Last.
On 23 May 2026, the fairways and grounds of Nchanga Golf Club became the centre of one of Chingola's biggest community sporting celebrations as thousands of runners, families, athletes, fitness enthusiasts and supporters came together for the KCM Marathon 2026.
Proudly sponsored by Konkola Copper Mines Plc, the marathon brought the spirit of “Manja Pamodzi” Together, We Can Achieve Great Things to life, transforming race day into a celebration of health, endurance, unity and community.
The event started at 05:00, with Nchanga Golf Club serving as the official venue and starting point.
A Marathon for Everyone
The 2026 edition was designed to make participation accessible to people with different abilities and levels of experience. The programme included the 5km, 10km, 15km, 21km and 42km races, alongside an Executive Walk, a children's event and a dedicated category for differently abled participants.
From seasoned athletes taking on the full marathon to children experiencing the excitement of organised running for the first time, the event created a platform where everyone could participate in their own way.
The response from Chingola was remarkable. Registrations ultimately sold out, with all available places filled ahead of race day a powerful indication of the community's enthusiasm for fitness and the growing stature of the KCM Marathon.
Manja Pamodzi: The Spirit of the Marathon
The 2026 theme captured the essence of the event perfectly.
Manja Pamodzi is about recognising that some of our greatest achievements are possible when we work together. On race day, this spirit could be seen everywhere from runners encouraging one another along the route to volunteers, medical teams, marshals, sponsors, families and spectators working together to create a successful event.
KCM described sport as a powerful force for bringing communities together, highlighting its ability to transcend differences and create shared experiences. The company contributed US$40,000 towards the 2026 marathon, with the event forming part of its wider commitment to community development and social impact.
More Than a Race
The KCM Marathon was conceived as more than a sporting competition.
At its heart was a commitment to health, wellness and community development. The event encouraged participants to become more physically active while creating an environment where families, corporate teams, professional athletes and recreational runners could share the same starting line.
Participants were supported by organised routes, hydration stations, medical assistance and race marshals, helping create a safe and professionally managed race experience.
For Chingola, the marathon also represented an opportunity to showcase the city and its people. The enthusiastic participation demonstrated the appetite for major sporting events that bring communities together and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Investing in Nchanga Golf Club
An important part of the 2026 marathon's legacy was its contribution to the continued development of Nchanga Golf Club.
The marathon was launched with a specific community development objective: to raise funds towards improvements to the club's infrastructure, including the development of changing rooms and other facilities.
This created a meaningful connection between the marathon and the club's wider vision. The event did not simply use Nchanga Golf Club as a venue it contributed towards developing the facility for the benefit of golfers, athletes, families and the wider community.
The marathon also continued the growing relationship between KCM and Nchanga Golf Club, which has included support for sporting development and the revival of junior golf.
A Celebration of Chingola
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the KCM Marathon 2026 was the atmosphere created by the people of Chingola.
The course became a meeting point for people from different backgrounds and generations. Runners arrived with personal goals some chasing times, some chasing medals, and others simply determined to finish. But once the race began, everyone became part of the same story.
The sold out response, community participation and support along the route demonstrated that the KCM Marathon has developed beyond an annual race. It is becoming a community movement centred on wellness, togetherness and positive living.
A Legacy Beyond the Finish Line
As the final runners crossed the finish line, the 2026 KCM Marathon left behind more than race results.
It left memories.
It inspired people to move.
It brought families together.
It gave athletes a platform to challenge themselves.
It created opportunities for young people.
And it strengthened the connection between sport and community development in Chingola.
For Nchanga Golf Club, hosting the KCM Marathon represents another important chapter in our evolution from a historic golf institution into a vibrant community destination for sport, wellness, family and connection.
The 2026 edition proved the power of the words that defined it:
MANJA PAMODZI.
Together, We Can Achieve Great Things.
And as we look towards the future, the journey continues.
Nchanga Golf Club est. 1936
Where Champions Are Made and Memories Last.
