The streets of Kitwe will resemble a “Sea of Turquoise” on 26 July 2025 when 6 000 runners and walkers unite to celebrate the authenticity of this iconic city.
The FNB Kopala Run will treat runners and walkers to a 21km, 10km and 5km looped journey that highlights landmarks in the bustling city, while showcasing its serene suburbs. The route will also feature lively performances by local performing arts groups and sponsors activations that are guaranteed to energise runners and walkers as they make their way to the finish. The FNB Kopala Run is a true highlight on the Zambian running calendar. Entrants can also look forward to rubbing shoulders with Zambia’s elite runners.
Entries Open: Wednesday 23 April 2025
Online Entries Close: 18 July 2025
(unless sold out earlier)
Late Entries: If entries are still available, it will be available on a first come first serve basis at Race Pack Collection.
Entries office email: entries@fnbkopalarun.com
Distance: 21km Road Race
Start Time: 06h00
Distance: 10km Road Race
Start Time: 06h30
Distance: 5km Fun Run
Start Time: 06h50
Start Venue: Freedom Ave, Kitwe
Finish: Freedom Ave, Kitwe
21km: ZMW 295
10km: ZMW 195
5km: ZMW 145
Your Race Envelope will contain 1 race number and safety pins. Your timing chip is attached to your race number and needs to be attached to the front of your running shirt. Please do not bend or tamper with the chip in any way.
NO CHIP NO TIME.
All entrants will receive their technical event performance t-shirt at Race Pack Collection.
Please note that technical event t-shirt sizes are limited and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Venue: Garden Court Convention Centre, Freedom Ave, Kitwe
Dates & Times:
Thursday: 24 July 2025 (09h00 – 19h00)
Friday: 25 July 2025 (09h00 – 17h00)
There will be NO Race Pack Collection on the day of the event.
Before arriving at Race Pack Collection, ensure you have the following with you:
All entrants are encouraged to collect their own individual race packs from the Race Pack Collection venue – no one may collect on behalf of another person without;
A ZMW50 Substitution fee will be applicable for each change.
Complimentary Tog Bag Facilities will be available in the Race Village.
Please ensure you attach a Tog Bag tag to your bag before you hand your bag to the Tog Bag Assistant.
Your Race number should corresponds with the tog bag tag number and you would therefor need to display your race number when collecting your bag from the area.
Please do not leave valuables in your bag.
| Cashplus Agent | EFT |
| 1. Visit your nearest FNB Cashplus Agent | 1. Select Interbank transfer |
| 2. Request to deposit | 2. Select Bank (FNB) |
| 3. Account number (63150441144) Peak Timing | 3. Select DDAC/RTGS |
| 4. Enter payment identification number – OR 97697582 | 4. Account number (63150441144) |
| 4. Confirm payment | 5. Enter Branch (260026) |
| 6. Enter Account Name (Peak Timing) | |
| 7. Enter payment identification number – OR 97697582 | |
| 9. Confirm payment |
| USSD | App |
| 1. Dial *115# | 1. Select Send Money |
| 2. Select 1. Send Money | 2. Click on Bank Transfer |
| 3. Select 6. Banks | 3. Select Bank Name |
| 4. Select 1. Send to Bank | 4. Enter Account(63150441144 Peak Timing) Number & Amount |
| 5. Select 7.FNB | 5. Enter payment identification number – OR 97697582 |
| 6. Enter account no. (63150441144) Peak Timing | 6. Confirm detail and select Confirm |
| 7. Enter amount. | 7. Click Complete |
| 8. Enter Reference(payment identification number) – OR 97697582 |
Your Race Envelope will contain 1 race number and safety pins. Your timing chip is attached to your race number and needs to be attached to the front of your running shirt. Please do not bend or tamper with the chip in any way.
NO CHIP NO TIME.
RACE RULES
1. The FNB Kopala Run – Kitwe is run and organised in accordance with the rules of World Athletics (WA).
2. Foreign athletes must comply with WA rule 4.2 and all relevant race and domestic rules
3. The FNB Kopala Run – Kitwe is open to all club-registered non-registered runners.
4. The FNB Kopala Run Half Marathon is open to all eligible athletes who are 16 years and older on the day of the event.
1. Juniors are defined as athletes 16 years or older on the date of the race, and under the age of 20 at 31 December 2025. i.e. born in 2005 or later.
5. The minimum age for participation is 14 years of age for the 10km and 9 years of age for the 5km fun run on the day of the race.
1. Juniors are defined as athletes 14 years or older on the date of the race and under the age of 20 on 31 December 2025. i.e. born in 2005 or later.
6. Senior and Master athletes’ age is taken on the event date.
7. In addition to Overall prizes, runners will only be eligible for age category prizes in the age category they enter.
8. Runners may enter the age category corresponding to their chronological age or any younger category down to senior.
9. Wheelchair entrants are encouraged to participate in the 5km Race, and the top 3 male and female finishers will be eligible for prize money.
10. The Event Organiser reserves the right to accept or reject any entry.
11. TOG BAGS: A tog bag facility could be used at the runner’s own risk.
• Cellphones, money and jewellery should not be left in tog bags.
• If no tag is attached to your tog bag, it will not be accepted.
12. Toilets will be available at the start and the finish of the event, as well as, on the route at each water station.
13. All traffic officers, marshals and race officials must always be obeyed. If You are instructed by any marshal, race official, medic, traffic or police official to stop, you must do so immediately.
14. Refreshments stations will be provided at the following points:
1. 5km – 3,5km marker
2. 10km – 3,5km and 7km marker
3. 21km – 3.5km, 7km, 10km, 13km, 16km, 19km markers
15. A runner may not start or attempt to start the event before the confirmed start time. Any runner who does so may be disqualified.
16. A runner must complete the race with his/her own effort and may not receive any assistance in this regard.
17. Personal seconding is not permitted. Private vehicles are not to follow the athletes on the route; this can result in the disqualification of the entrant.
18. No bicycles are allowed on the route apart from the lead cyclists and officials.
19. The use of music players with headphones is not allowed and will result in disqualification.
20. No ambush marketing is allowed.
21. Do not litter. #RunClean.
• Dispose of sachets and cups responsibly by using the boxes provided or carrying them to the finish.
• Report offenders to the referees.
22. All entrants must cross all timing points on the route to qualify for an official result.
23. Prize giving for all Age Categories will be held at 10h30 at the prize-giving stage.
24. Results for all participants will be available on the event website, www.kopalarun.com
● The results will be available at 09h30 in the TIC (Technical Information Centre).
● Any objections must be made to the Official at the TIC within 30 minutes of the posting time as covered under World Athletics Rule 146.2.
25. All finishers will receive a medal.
26. All finishers will be given start gun to mat times.
27. It is understood that entering the event will add the participant’s name and contact details to the Event Organisers communication database to receive future communication about other events.
28. This event attracts international participation and as such, there are restrictions on advertising on clothing for all Contenders. It is important that Elite Runners adhere to these rules as covered in the World Athletics Advertising regulations.
Prize Money
1. Please note that all prize money winnings are subject to Zambian Tax Law and anti-doping results and can take up to 3 months to process.
a. All athletes eligible for prize money based on their placement must verify their age by providing their ID to the referees.
1. WHEN WILL THE FNB Kopala RUN TAKE PLACE?
The FNB Kopala RUN in Kitwe will take place on Saturday 26 July 2025.
2. WHERE DO I ENTER?
Entries are available online at www.fnbkopalarun.com
3. WHEN DO ENTRIES CLOSE?
Entries close on the 18th of July or when capacity has been reached, whichever comes first.
4. WHAT ARE THE ENTRY FEES?
The entry fee for the 21km run is 295K, 10km run is 195K and 145K for the 5km Fun Run
5. WHERE DOES THE EVENTS TAKE PLACE?
Event start: Freedom Ave, Kitwe, opposite the ECL Mall
Event Finish venue: Freedom Ave, Kitwe, opposite the Garden Court Hotel
6. WHAT TIME DOES THE EVENT START?
The 21km race will start at 06h00, the 10km race starts at 06h30, and the 5km Fun Run starts at 06h50.
Please note that no late starters will be accommodated. Please ensure you are on time.
7. IS PARKING AVAILABLE?
Yes, there are designated parking areas earmarked at the ECL shopping mall. Please visit the event website for the information at www.fnbkopalarun.com
8. WHEN & WHERE IS RACE PACK COLLECTION?
i. Venue: Garden Court Hotel, Kitwe
ii. Dates:
1. 24 July 2025: 09h00 – 19h00
2. 25 July 2025: 09h00 – 17h00
NB: There will be NO Race pack collection on the event date. All race packs have to be collected prior to the event date.
9. WILL I BE ABLE TO ENTER AT RACE PACK COLLECTION?
Late entries will be accommodated IF the entries are not sold out prior to Race Pack Collection date. To avoid disappointment, please enter early.
10. WILL WE RECEIVE OUR RACE NRS PRIOR TO RACE PACK COLLECTION?
All Pre Entries’ race numbers will be loaded on the results page under each event. Search for your name and your race number will be visible.
11. WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPATION?
Participants must be 16 years or older on race day to participate in the 21km race; 14 years or older on race day to participate in the 10km and 9 years of age to participate in the 5km fun run.
12. TO WHICH PLATFORMS CAN I SHARE MY EXPERIENCE (PHOTOGRAPHS/RUN/FINISHERS CERTIFICATE)?
Facebook: FNB Zambia
Instagram: FNB Zambia
Hashtags: #FNBKopalaRun
13. DO YOU ALLOW ENTRY REFUNDS?
All entries are final, there will be no refunds. Substitutions will be facilitated at Race Pack Collection at a fee of 50k.
14. DO I HAVE TO WEAR THE FNB KOPALA RUN T-SHIRT WHEN I RUN?
Participants are encouraged to run in their official FNB Kopala Run t-shirt.
15. HOW WILL MY RACE BE TIMED?
Your timing chip is attached to your race number and needs to be attached to the front of your running shirt. Please do not bend or tamper with the chip in any way.
NO CHIP NO TIME.
16. WILL I RECEIVE A MEDAL?
All entrants will receive a finisher Medal at the finish line.
17. WHERE WILL I SEE MY RESULTS?
Live results will be available on the FNB Kopala Run website. www.fnbkopalarun.com
