The Suva Marathon Club has officially opened registrations for the Namosi Challenge 2026, announcing the trail run will return on Saturday, June 6 with a field capped at 500 participants. Organisers launched ticket sales this week at Greenhouse Coworking’s new Nasese venue and warned places are limited after several recent editions sold out well in advance.
SMC president Amit Ahalawat, who spoke at the Nasese launch, described the event as “an incredible journey into Namosi’s heart, testing endurance, forging self-connection, and community bonds.” Ahalawat — a fixture of the event who has completed every Namosi race since its 2020 inception — told attendees the challenge played a pivotal role in his transformation into a daily runner. He has now run every day for more than 1,000 days, organisers noted.
SMC operations and marketing manager Silina Bale said the race blends adventure sport with direct community support. “We’re blending thrilling runs with real community giveback, inspiring Fijians to get active while uplifting Namosi,” Bale said, reiterating that a portion of entry fees will fund local projects. Matelita Katamotu, representing Domoika Adventures and Namosi’s sustainable tourism network, said the community looks forward to welcoming runners and that funds from entries will support important school upgrades in the area.
Marita Manley, who helped establish the event as part of the Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective, outlined how the Namosi Challenge grew out of the COVID era and has since put the Namosi highlands on Fiji’s eco-adventure map. “It is so great to see so many people from Suva regularly turning out each year, and eagerly awaiting the registration opening,” Manley said, noting businesses and organisations increasingly use the event as a team-building outing.
Organisers did not publish final course details at the launch but noted that past editions have offered a mix of distances — including a half marathon, a 10-kilometre race and a team marathon option — that take runners through Namosi’s rugged interior and scenic highlands. The event is supported by sponsors and partners Jacks of Fiji, The Fiji Times, Domoika Adventures, Namosi Eco Retreat, Greenhouse Coworking and six Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective members: Domoika Adventures, Namosi Eco Retreat, Gasadrau Farm, Rivers Fiji, Talanoa Treks and Finding Islands Tours.
Tickets are available through TicketMax. With only 500 places on offer and a track record of selling out in recent years, organisers urged early registration to secure a spot for the June 6 event. The Suva Marathon Club framed this year’s launch as the latest step in the Challenge’s expansion from a local pandemic-era initiative into a signature community and tourism event for the Namosi province.
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