RCA Charity Half Marathon Targets Infant Mortality With ₦12.4m Healthcare Drive

Run Club Abuja (RCA) will stage its sixth Annual Charity Half Marathon on Saturday, 11 July, with proceeds from the event earmarked for the purchase of life-saving neonatal equipment for two public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Organisers said the initiative is designed to strengthen healthcare services in rural communities and help reduce infant mortality through the provision of critical medical equipment worth ₦12.4 million.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Peju Lawanson, in a statement signed by Jonathan Ameh, member, RCA-CHM media and public committee, said the annual marathon has evolved beyond a fitness event into a platform for community development, bringing Nigerians together to support a cause that has a direct impact on lives.

She said every participant, volunteer and donor would contribute to giving newborn babies a better chance of survival, describing the initiative as an opportunity for citizens to play an active role in building a healthier future for the next generation.

Themed “Run with Rhythm”, this year’s event is expected to attract around 1,000 participants competing in the 21.1km half marathon, 10km and 5km races.

Run Club Abuja President, Buchi Onyegbule, said all available slots for the event had been sold out, describing the response as a reflection of the confidence the fitness community and social impact advocates continue to place in the organisation.

He added that this year’s edition has recorded a significant increase in virtual participants, with registrations coming from outside Nigeria and across other continents.

Onyegbule also assured participants that the club had prioritised their safety and welfare by putting comprehensive safety measures in place throughout the race.

According to him, runners will have access to adequate hydration points along the route, while all finishers will receive commemorative medals. He added that the kit collection exercise would also include optional health screening services for participants.

Returning as headline sponsor for the third consecutive year, Norrenberger Financial Group said its continued support underscores the company’s confidence in the marathon’s measurable social impact and its commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Edeh, said the partnership had grown beyond sponsorship into a long-term investment in community development.

He noted that the organisation remains committed to supporting initiatives that deliver measurable, transparent and lasting benefits to society.

Edeh said the neonatal equipment to be procured through this year’s fundraising effort would help save the lives of mothers and newborn babies, demonstrating how private sector partnerships can complement government efforts to strengthen public healthcare.

Also speaking, the company’s Group Head of Strategy and Sustainability, Amani Momodu, described maternal and neonatal health as one of Nigeria’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

He stressed that addressing the problem requires sustained collaboration among the private sector, civil society organisations and local communities.

Momodu said the partnership aligns with Norrenberger’s sustainability agenda while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

Beyond encouraging healthy lifestyles, the annual charity half marathon has become a platform for mobilising individuals, businesses and development partners to invest in healthcare, reinforcing the importance of collective action in improving public health and advancing national development.