The Malawi National Council of Sports’ Director of Planning, Marketing, and Infrastructure Services, Mr. Limbani Matola, announced during a press briefing at the MNCS offices in Blantyre that the sixth edition of the Blantyre 42.195 km race will take place on 7 September 2024.
According to Matola, this year’s event will also include 10 km and 5 km races to accommodate participants of all fitness levels, making it the biggest marathon in the country. Aerobics and kids activities will also spice up the event.
“We have repositioned the Blantyre race to not only cater to professional athletes but to everyone. The community around Blantyre can come, have fun, and improve their fitness and well-being. We are encouraging corporate participation as well,” said Matola.
In line with becoming bigger and better, the proceeds from the Blantyre race will be donated to a maternity ward at a health center around Blantyre as part of the Mother’s Day celebrations in October.
The registration fees are set at MWK 20,000 for the 42.195 km race, MWK 15,000 for the 10 km race, and MWK 10,000 for the 5 km race.
Evance Chiphwanya, head of the technical committee for the Blantyre 42.195 km race, assured that this year’s event will be well-organized. “We believe that the athletes are well-prepared because we recently had races in Lilongwe and Mulanje. As we have seen in previous marathons, the athletes are ready for this marathon, and we are geared to ensure that everything is perfect,” explained Chiphwanya.
Winners in the 42.195 km race will walk away with MWK 1.5 million, second place will receive MWK 1 million, and third place will get MWK 750,000. For the 10 km race, winners will receive MWK 750,000, second place will get MWK 500,000, and third place will pocket MWK 250,000. In the 5 km race, winners will take home MWK 375,000, second place will receive MWK 250,000, and third place will get MWK 125,000.
This year marathon is being held under the theme ‘PACE UP’. In last year’s marathon, Gravasio Mpani from Civo Sporting Club emerged as the winner in the male category, while Nalicy Chirwa won in the female category.