Neema Msuadi.
Tanzanian marathon runner Neema Mathias Msuadi has been left heartbroken after missing the Stockholm Marathon in Sweden last Saturday, following a delay in the return of her passport from the Swedish visa processing centre in Nairobi.
Neema had been expected to compete in the race on May 30, 2026, after months of serious preparation in Arusha. But her dream ended painfully when her passport was returned only on Monday, June 1, two days after the marathon had already taken place.
“I am heartbroken as I had prepared so much for this race,” Neema told The Arusha News.
Her manager, John Manyama, said the passport was deposited at the Swedish Embassy in Dar es Salaam, together with the visa payment, on May 14. He said the passport was later received at the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi on May 20, as Nairobi is the processing centre.
“It is very much regretful for the delay and a chance missed by Neema,” Manyama told The Arusha News.
The disappointment was particularly painful because Neema had entered the race with confidence and high expectations. In an earlier interview with The Arusha News, she said she was ready for the Stockholm challenge and was in good spirits ahead of the event.
“I am looking forward to the Stockholm Marathon and I am in high spirits,” she said before the race.
Neema, who won the Perm International Marathon in Russia last year, had been training in Arusha since early this year. Her training was aimed at taking advantage of Arusha’s weather, altitude and conditions as she prepared for the international race.
Manyama had also earlier praised her commitment, saying she had taken her training seriously and was eager to perform well in Sweden. The Stockholm Marathon was expected to give Neema an important test against a strong international field, including elite runners from traditional distance-running nations.
The race was also part of her wider build-up towards major future assignments, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the United States.
Instead of lining up in Stockholm, Neema was left waiting for a passport that arrived too late.
The 2026 Stockholm Marathon was won by Kenya’s Edwin Kiptoo in the men’s race, clocking 2:10:46. Kenya also took the women’s title through Rebeca Chesir, who won in 2:30:58.
