In the heart of Maun, where the Okavango Delta’s natural beauty meets a vibrant community spirit, a unique fitness initiative is transforming Sunday mornings. The Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp, hosted by Cena Active Fitness Centre, is not just a marathon or workout—it’s a movement dedicated to fitness, philanthropy, and the betterment of lives. Every Sunday at 5 AM, participants gather to embark on a physically demanding journey, all with a registration fee of P350 per person. But this event is about more than just pushing physical limits—it’s about giving back to the community, especially those in need.
The day begins bright and early, with participants meeting at the break of dawn for the 10-kilometer marathon. Starting at 5 AM, runners of all fitness levels lace up their shoes and hit the trail along the picturesque riverbanks of Maun. The route offers not only a test of endurance but also a refreshing and scenic environment that motivates participants to push through the challenge. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a beginner, the marathon welcomes all, providing an opportunity to improve fitness and mental fortitude.
But the marathon is just the first step. Once the 10km run is complete, participants gear up for the Beach Boot Camp, held right by the riverbanks. The boot camp focuses on a variety of exercises, from strength training and weight loss routines to muscle-gaining and weight maintenance workouts. Whether you’re looking to tone your body, lose those extra pounds, or build muscle mass, the boot camp is designed to cater to everyone’s fitness goals. Cena Active Fitness Centre has created a program that’s as challenging as it is rewarding, allowing participants to experience comprehensive workouts in an invigorating outdoor setting.
What sets the Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp apart from typical fitness events is its underlying purpose. All funds raised from registration fees are directed toward supporting people with albinism, a community that often faces unique challenges, including discrimination, social marginalization, and medical difficulties. For Cena, the founder of Cena Active Fitness Centre, this cause is deeply personal. Growing up in a Christian family, he was taught the values of compassion, empathy, and selflessness—principles that continue to guide his life and business.
By organizing this event, Cena aims to raise awareness about the struggles faced by individuals with albinism, while also providing practical support through funds that will go towards medical care, education, and social advocacy. For participants, this means that every step they take in the marathon and every push-up completed in the boot camp contributes to a greater cause—helping people with albinism live better, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Cena’s Vision: Beyond Profit to Community Impact
Unlike many fitness centers, Cena Active Fitness Centre looks beyond profit and instead focuses on creating a lasting impact in the community. Cena’s dream goes beyond just organizing marathons and boot camps; he envisions a future where his fitness initiatives are intertwined with philanthropy and community development.
His long-term goal is to own a farm where he can establish a permanent fitness hub that caters not only to fitness enthusiasts but also to those in need. A significant part of this vision includes digging a borehole to address Maun’s persistent water shortages. With this borehole, Cena plans to provide water to the less privileged, allowing them to access clean drinking water—something that many take for granted. The borehole would serve as a resource for the entire community, ensuring that even those without taps in their homes can come and fetch water.
This vision of integrating fitness, philanthropy, and community service stems from Cena’s deep-rooted belief that true success lies in helping others. **“Fitness is not just about improving ourselves physically, but also about empowering others to live better lives,”** Cena often says. Through his future farm and fitness center, he hopes to create a space where people can improve their health, contribute to charitable causes, and gain access to basic necessities like clean water.
A Lifeline for the Less Privileged: Education and Essential Resources
In addition to supporting individuals with albinism, Cena Active Fitness Centre is committed to helping underprivileged children and families. With the proceeds from the Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp, Cena aims to provide educational resources such as stationery and textbooks to children in need. As the summer season approaches and the temperatures rise, it becomes even more critical to support those who lack the basic resources to thrive.
Cena recognizes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and he is determined to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow—today’s children—are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. From providing food to families struggling to make ends meet to supplying school materials to students, Cena’s charitable efforts extend far beyond the fitness realm. It’s about uplifting the entire community and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their financial situation.
Recognizing the power of media to amplify his mission, Cena has partnered with Urban Rhythm Magazine, a leading lifestyle and entertainment publication, to spread the word about the Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp. This partnership aims to raise awareness about the initiative, encouraging more people to participate in the marathon, contribute to the fundraising efforts, and support the noble causes Cena champions.
By utilizing the platform offered by Urban Rhythm Magazine, Cena hopes to reach a wider audience—not just in Maun, but across Botswana and beyond. The magazine serves as a bridge, connecting potential sponsors, partners, and participants to Cena’s mission. Together with Urban Rhythm Magazine, Cena is laying the groundwork for a fitness movement that reaches far beyond the riverbanks of Maun, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.
The Road Ahead: Building a Legacy of Compassion
As Cena looks toward the future, his aspirations are clear. He wants to continue building a community that is rooted in fitness, compassion, and social responsibility. His vision for the Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp is one of sustainability and growth, where more people join the movement and more lives are touched through charitable efforts.
By creating a space where fitness enthusiasts can come together to improve their health while also contributing to meaningful causes, Cena is building a legacy that will last for generations. His commitment to addressing issues like water scarcity, supporting individuals with albinism, and providing educational resources to children ensures that his efforts will have a lasting impact on the Maun community and beyond.
The Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp is more than just a fitness event—it’s an opportunity to make a difference. Whether you’re a runner, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who simply wants to give back to the community, this event is the perfect way to combine your passion for fitness with a noble cause. With a registration fee of P350, you’re not just investing in your health—you’re helping to improve the lives of those in need.
So why not lace up your running shoes and join the movement? Every Sunday at 5 AM, the Maun Riversand Marathon & Beach Boot Camp brings people together for a morning of fitness, fun, and philanthropy. Together, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, where people with albinism are supported, and where children have access to the education and resources they need to succeed.
“Fitness is just the beginning. Together, we can make a difference—one step, one workout, and one act of kindness at a time.”