Fostina Mbemba, Mphatso Nadolo set official time records for Blantyre 42.195km Race

* Mbemba, who finished 3rd in the women’s category in 2025 edition in a time of 3:07:25, came 1st in this year’s race in an impressive time of 3:00:10

* Mphatso Nadolo finished 1st in men’s event in 2:25:01 — beating the time of 2:31:29 that was recorded for last year’s champion, McDonald Maganizo

By Duncan Mlanjira

After verifying and officially certifying the route for the Blantyre 42.195km Race, Fostina Mbemba and Mphatso Nadolo have now set the official finishing time records in women’s and men’s categories respectively.

The route for the annual race was changed in 2023 from the original of one long stretch up to the finish to a 14km stretch of three lap loops.

Thus the record finish time set for the original of 2:18:40 — which was set by Henry Moyo in 2003 and was never broken — was retired in 2023.

But there had been controversy last year as the course was changed and might have been a bit shorter — thus it being verified and certified for this edition.

The 2026 edition’s race organising committee chairperson, Chifundo Tenthani confirmed to the media ahead of the event this Sunday that technical officials had rigorously verified and certified the course — thus guaranteeing runners would cover the precise distances required.

Fostina Mbemba, who finished 3rd in the 2025 edition in a time of 3:07:25, came 1st in this year’s marathon in an impressive time of 3:00:10.

It is a huge personal record as the winner last year, Mercy Malembo, was registered at 3:05:08 while veteran athlete Tereza Master was the runner-up in 3:07:16.

This time around Tereza Master also finished 2nd over 12 minutes behind Malembo in 3:12:58 while Doris Fisher completing the podium in 3:14:57.

The men’s category identified South Africa-based Mphatso Nadolo in 2:25:01 — beating the time of 2:31:29 that was recorded for last year’s champion, McDonald Maganizo.

Maganizo was the Entsika Athletics Club athlete’s runner-up, who finished second in 2:27:28, with Allan Chirwa securing 3rd place in 2:30:29.

Runner-up to Maganizo last year was Kefasi Kesten in 2:34:00 while the 3rd was by Austin Sukali in 2:34:38.

Since the route has now been verified and officially certified, these times should be the benchmark going forward waiting to be broken to set new milestones.

The Marathon is organised along with 10km category, whose women’s was won by Dyna Nyson in a time of 43:26.71, while Brave Mwaphande won the men’s race in 33:58.84.