RUNNING FOR CLEAN ENERGY: Participants set off at the start of the Clean Cooking Half Marathon, which began and concluded at Nane Nane Grounds in Themi, Arusha, last week. The event drew a large turnout in support of clean energy initiatives. (Photo by a Correspondent)
By Jaya James Welters and Daniela de Unzueta Artola.
When we arrived we were surprised to find that the early hour had not deterred the massive crowd which was already growing fast. As the sun rose over Arusha, there was a great sense of excitement and anticipation. By 6:00 am, Arusha’s Clean Cooking Marathon was well underway, bringing together students, teachers, civil servants, elite athletes and entire families to raise awareness of safe cooking.
The event is part of a growing national movement to promote ‘clean cooking’, replacing traditional firewood and charcoal stoves with safer, more efficient alternatives such as gas and biogas.
The movement has gained momentum in recent years, with strong backing from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has made clean energy access a national priority. Her government has launched multiple initiatives to scale up clean cooking infrastructure and increase awareness across the country.
These new technologies reduce indoor air pollution, protect forests and save time for the women who often shoulder the burden of cooking in Tanzania. In short, clean cooking is a gender, health and environmental issue.
The Arusha marathon was organised by coordinator Noreen Mawalla, Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Business Women Association (TABWA), who has already helped over 200 women in Dar es Salaam move to improved stoves.
“Arusha has been our next goal,” she said. “We’re growing every year in numbers; we are stronger than our challenges.” The marathon attracted people of all ages, running the 5 km, 10 km or 21 km routes.
Among the standout participants was Shani, only 13 years old, who had just completed her fifth marathon, cheered on by her father, Swahele.
“I run to be proud of myself and my name,” she said. Runners were drawn to the marathon for many reasons – some for fitness, others for fun – but most spoke about community. “Marathons connect people,” said Omari, a representative of the Ministry of Energy, who had come all the way from Dodoma.
He expressed his admiration for the large crowd that had gathered that morning and he himself supported the initiative by running the 5 km. Indeed, participants came from all walks of life – teachers, police officers, students, football coaches, musicians (to name just a few).
One of the first people we met was Calvin, thrilled to have received a new clean cooking stove as a prize. “The new stoves don’t make your pot rust,” he said. “And there’s far less smoke or smell.” When asked whether he preferred running or cooking, he exclaimed: “You can’t get energy to run without cooking!”
Another runner, who had completed the 21 km, pointed to the nearby forest. “It’s important to take care of this,” he insisted. Which is exactly the idea Noreen hoped to promote: Clean cooking isn’t a side issue but something that affects everyone, every day.
A few hours later, the final runners crossed the finish line and others wandered the stalls of Nane Nane, asking questions about gas and biogas or browsing book displays and stove demonstrations.
There were medals (big congratulations to the winners!), but most came for something else: To be part of a growing movement that’s about more than running – and bigger than cooking.
