The event nicknamed today as the Brufut Run started in 1994 through the enthusiasm of several passionate Gambian runners who decided to support their community through sport, primarily by mobilizing resources for assisting women horticulturalists in the purchase of seedlings and fertilizers. Ever since, the run is themed in such …
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The event nicknamed today as the Brufut Run started in 1994 through the enthusiasm of several passionate Gambian runners who decided to support their community through sport, primarily by mobilizing resources for assisting women horticulturalists in the purchase of seedlings and fertilizers. Ever since, the run is themed in such a way as to bear on the socio-economic welfare of the Brufut community and increase public awareness of key development issues relevant for the country as a whole. There has been a run against the spread of HIV/Aids, deforestation, malaria, illegal migration, drugs and alcohol abuse; for a clean environment, accelerated industrial development or education.
World food program: Since 2010 the event was themed as the Run Against Hunger to raise awareness of chronic food insecurity in The Gambia and re-echo the national call for food self-sufficiency. It was organized in collaboration with World Food Programme (World Runners Against Hunger), who have been regularly represented by athletes from abroad as well as being regularly supported by The Friends of The Gambia Association a UK non profit charity.
Initially handled by an ad-hoc committee the organization of the Run has experienced significant transformation and growth into a professional registered non-profit organization – the Brufut Marathon Association (BMA) – the members of which all work on a voluntary non-profit basis. Thanks to the generosity of its partners the event has experienced increasing success. A day has been created that is always looked forward to because of the joyful ambiance that characterizes a typical Brufut Run day, giving young athletes a platform for recognition and raising essential funds for the socio-economic well-being of most vulnerable groups in the Brufut area.
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A very unique experience!
The race takes place in Brufut which is close to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. It was extremely hot with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Organization was very poor … MORE
The race takes place in Brufut which is close to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. It was extremely hot with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Organization was very poor and just 21 runners took part in the race of which 19 were Gambian top runners. No electronic time measuring. The course should have been 21.1km but it was something around 19.5km. Streets were not closed for traffic. No water or anything else till km 12!!! I was dying due to the heat and of course I was running on my own as the top runners were all gone after 100 meters. While running you get an impression of the Gambian way of life seeing cows passing the way, busy markets etc.