The Senegambia Run for Integration is a relay run from Yelitenda, in The Gambia to Dakar, the capital of Senegal, covering a distance of 320km.
This event was conceived by Mr George Gomez, teaming with Camp Africa in partnership with the Senegalo-Gambian Secretariat, Gambia Athletics Association and supported by the Ministry of Youths and Sports.
During a press conference on Saturday, 6th October 2018, Gomez said the event is not only initiated to further strengthen the relationship between The Gambia and Senegal, but to also promote tourism and sports within the Senegambia sub-region and to foster peace and harmony between the two countries.
The event is endorsed by both President Adama Barrow of The Gambia and President Macky Sall of Senegal and the two governments are working closely to ensure the success of the event.
The Senegambia Run for Integration is slated to commence from the 18th to 22nd January 2019, the same day that the Yelintenda – Bambatenda Bridge is scheduled for opening.
Mr Dodou Joof, President of The Gambia National Olympics Committee who serves as the head of the technical committee for the event said it will also serve as a platform for Senegambians to showcase their culture and put the sub-region on the world map.
The event will, however, qualify to be in the Guinness Book of World Records if it is hosted successfully for three consecutive years because it will be the longest relay run in Africa and the second longest in the world.
The run will also mark two years since President Barrow was sworn-in in Dakar as the president-elect of the 3rd Republic of The Gambia. The runners would be carrying a letter of appreciation from President Adama Barrow to President Macky Sall, as a message of goodwill and for peace in the sub-region.