The Adventist Athletics Club (AAC) Lesotho chapter has held its first-ever 10km race, drawing 208 runners of whom around 178 came from outside the Adventist Church.

The Adventist Athletics Run Your City race was held on Sunday, 13 September 2026, marking a decade since the chapter was established in 2016. Runners started at Pioneer Mall, followed designated routes around the capital, and finished where they began.

The event drew national figures, including Honourable Mokhothu Makhalanyane, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Social Cluster Committee, and High Court Judge Justice 'Mabats'oeneng Hlaele.

Speaking after the race, Makhalanyane commended the organisers for promoting physical activity, noting that regular exercise, proper diet, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. He raised concerns about the growing burden of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes in Lesotho, urging communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.

AAC Lesotho technical coach and race director Tumelo Majorobela described the event as a success.

"Our mantra is 'Fitness for Witnessing'," Majorobela said. "We are passionate about the concept of exercise, and we also encourage proper nutrition so that we can serve God while maintaining good health."

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Overall winner Mopenyane Lebelo said the race was about more than competition, pointing to the importance of physical activity in maintaining good health.

For first-time participant Martin Kekela, finishing was a personal milestone. Kekela, who lives with chronic asthma, said his preparation for the race had made a noticeable difference.

"I never thought I could make it, especially at my age, but I really enjoyed myself," Kekela said. "I vow to fully adopt running into my lifestyle beyond this race."

Top performers across six categories, Men Open, Junior Male, Master Male, Female Open, Junior Female, and Master Female, received medals and monetary prizes. All other participants received participation medals and commemorative T-shirts.

The Lesotho chapter has around 50 members, including several elite runners, and operates under the affiliation of the Maseru Athletics Academy. The Adventist Athletics Club was founded in South Africa in 2012 and now operates across six South African provinces and in Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and Eswatini.