SportPesa-backed athlete posts strong finish at Kilimanjaro Marathon
South African runner John April finished 31st overall at the 2026 Kilimanjaro Marathon in Moshi after completing the 42km race in 2:44:59, as SportPesa highlighted its grassroots athlete support programme.
Tanzania.- Betting operator SportPesa has highlighted its grassroots sports sponsorship push after a South African runner it supports delivered a strong performance at the 2026 Kilimanjaro Marathon in Moshi, Tanzania.
The athlete, John April, completed the 42km race in 2:44:59 to finish 31st overall in a field of more than 800 runners. It was his first international marathon outside South Africa, and he was the leading South African finisher in the race.
April said: “It was tough, but I’m happy to have finished. The conditions were challenging, but the support from SportPesa has meant a lot. It was great to have the team there with me.”
The Kilimanjaro Marathon is known for its demanding conditions, with altitude, heat and distance combining to test even experienced runners.
The performance forms part of SportPesa’s wider athlete support initiative, which it says is aimed at development, exposure and long-term growth across different sporting disciplines. The operator has also been using the “SportPesa Effect” to frame its community and sports engagement activities.
The move reflects a wider trend among betting operators in African markets, where sports sponsorships and grassroots initiatives are increasingly being used to support brand visibility and community engagement.
