* Attracts a participation fee of K2,000
By Duncan Mlanjira
For the 2019 Blantyre Marathon set for Sunday, June 20, the organisers have added an aerobics session to spice up the event as people wait for the arrival of the athletes at Kamuzu Stadium.
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It will be done by a top top aerobics fitness club, Fitness Revival Brigade and attracts a participation fee of K2,000.
Aerobics exercise sessions have gained popularity across the cities of the country and almost every weekend various venues are filled up the exercise enthusiasts.
Also on menu are various games the organising committee have arranged as well as relay races and a 6km race from the roundabout near NBS Bank at Ginnery Corner to the roundabout at the Clock Tower in Blantyre and turning back all the way to Kamuzu Stadium — the finishing point of the marathon.
The winners from both categories will receive K1 million each and a further K500,000 for one to break the 18-year-old Blantyre City Marathon time record of 2:18:40hrs in men’s category — set in 2003 by retired marathoner Henry Moyo.
No athlete achieved this in the past two editions as last edition’s champion in 2019, Zomba-based Mphatso Nadolo, was some 12 minutes away from it at 2:29:38 — and it was not even his personal best because in 2018, in his maiden marathon, he was third in 2:28:42.
2018 winners
The 2018 winner, Moyale Barracks soldier Ndacha Nchelenje, finished in a time of 2:27:10, over by 9:30 minutes of the 2:18:40 record.
In the women’s category, the benchmark set as a record was that clocked by Theresa Master at 2:48:21, which is her personal best she set at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
The 2019 winner was South Africa-based Nalicy Chirwa, who finished in 3:05:55, beating Master to it who finished in 3:17:11 in third place.
2018 women winners
However, Master beat her 2018 time of 3:19:49, in which she overshot her Rio Olympic Games personal best by 31:28 minutes.
Master’s 2018 runner-up, Doris Fisher was also second in 2019 while the men’s second place was taken by Kefasi Kasiteni in 2:32:35 with Jafali Jossam, in his maiden marathon, in third in 2:34:37.
2019 women’s winners podium
Runners-up prize in both categories is at K500,000, third place at K250,000, 4th at K150,000 and 5th at K80,000.
There will also be prizes at K70,000, K60,000, K50,000, 40,000 and K30,000 for 6th-10th positions respectively.
The cut off time for the first 10 places is set at 2:45:00hrs for men and 3::50:00hrs for women. The registration is ongoing till Friday, June 18.
2019 men’s winners podium
And just like last year, Lab Processors are the sponsors, who will provide 1,300 bottled Vital water as well as 1,000 bottles of ThumbsUp energy juice.
Minister of Sports Ulemu Msungama and other dignitaries such as the Blantyre City Mayor and Sports Council Board members are expected to grace the occasion.
Rab Processors are sponsors of Vital Water and ThumbsUp juice
The route starts at Ginnery Corner Roundabout in Blantyre near NBS Bank to Chichiri Roundabout where it branches off towards Kwacha Roundabout all the way to TVM, past St. Columbus CCAP Church and all the way to Kudya trading centre.
At Kudya, the route heads towards Zingwangwa and all the way to Stella Maris Secondary School where it turns towards Moneymen Club then past Catholic Institute (CI) and reaching Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre Central Business District.
Then it turns to what is popularly known as Kandodo Corner Shop where it branches off to Mbayani heading all the way to Kameza Roundabout before turning towards Machinjiri turn off where there is the Ernegem Filling Station.
Blantyre Marathon sponsor
The route then heads into Machinjiri, past Luwanda Trading Centre; Area 5; Mkolokoti, Makhetha before joining the road from Zomba and going down past Lever Brothers; past Maselema Roundabout and reaching Chichiri Roundabout where it branches off Makata road and enter into Kamuzu Stadium for the finish line in front of the VIP Stand.
Matululu said extra police officers shall be placed at all hot spots such as Zingwangwa, Manase, Blantyre’s central business district, Mbayani, Chirimba, Kameza, Luwanda, Mkolokoti and Makhetha.
