LILONGWE, Malawi – Malawi Defence Force (MDF) athletes delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Standard Bank Be More Race, claiming top positions in both the men’s and women’s 21-kilometre categories during the event held at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.FDH Bank projects strong profit growth for 2025
The annual marathon attracted approximately 4,000 athletes from across the country, making it one of Malawi’s largest sporting and wellness events.
In the men’s 21-kilometre race, Kasteni from Cobbe Barracks emerged victorious after crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 1:05:45. Fellow MDF athlete Brave Mwamphanthe from Chilumba Garrison secured second place with a time of 1:05:55, while Thomas Chunga finished third.Standard Bank Donates K30 Million To MoH
The women’s category was equally dominated by military athletes, with Fostina Mbemba from Moyale Barracks taking first position after clocking 1:19:56. Mercy Malembo from Armoured Battalion finished second in 1:22:32, while Enifa Kaponda claimed third place.
The winners walked away with substantial cash prizes, with the first-place finishers receiving K2.5 million each. Second-place winners earned K1.7 million, while third-place finishers received K1.5 million.Standard Bank Plc Post 39.2 billion Kwacha Net Profit In 2022.
Speaking during the event, Standard Bank Malawi Chief Executive Officer Philip Madinga said the Be More Race has evolved beyond a sporting competition and now serves as a platform for promoting healthy lifestyles, community engagement, and personal development.
“This is beyond a marathon. It is about encouraging people to be more in every aspect of their lives, whether through wellness, discipline, resilience, or community impact,” said Madinga.
The Standard Bank Be More Race continues to grow in popularity each year, attracting elite athletes, amateur runners, fitness enthusiasts, and corporate teams from across Malawi.Standard Bank Malawi Launches the 2025 Be More Race
The strong performance by Malawi Defence Force athletes highlights the military’s continued investment in sports development and physical fitness, with MDF runners consistently featuring among the country’s top long-distance competitors.
As the 2026 edition concludes, organisers have hailed the event as a success, citing high participation levels and growing public interest in athletics and wellness initiatives.
