M'theto Lungu, co-founder and coordinator for HCC, says the group has coordinated the event to support MMF promotion of fitness and healthy living.

"Commander for Malawi Maritime Force, Major General Francis Kakhuta-Banda invited us to be part of this event and we believe that encouraging people to exercise and look after themselves is key to a healthy life, and hence a catalyst of socio-economic development," he said.

Lungu says the event, dubbed 'Major General Kakhuta-Banda Malawi Maritime Force Cape MaClear Challenge', has attracted people from different walks of life mixing civilians and military in their own personal capacity.

Major General Francis Kakhuta-Banda says the idea is to positively engage the community within and around Monkey-Bay and Mangochi to build a culture of progressive time use and a healthy life that also helps beat diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes which are lifestyle challenges.

He says the occasion also serves as an opportunity to launch Monkey-Bay Fitness Club and an annual fitness tourism event that will be nationally recognized by fitness and healthy living pundits.

"We see ourselves becoming a calendar event with a potential to attract tourists from beyond our borders. The Monkey-Bay to Cape Maclear route is an introductory one, but more creative and daring routes are being considered for the future," says Kakhuta-Banda.

Lungu and Kakhuta-Banda agree that Covid19 has however brought many challenges to such creative initiatives, and say preventive practices will be observed.

The activity has attracted participation of many other fitness and sporting groups from Lilongwe, Mangochi, Blantyre and Salima including individuals.

HCC has membership across borders including South Africa, Lesotho, DRC, the United Kingdom, Namibia, and United States of America.