The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has organized weekly 14 km health walks every Friday at 2:00 p.m., aiming to encourage citizens to engage in physical exercise and raise awareness for the upcoming 6th edition of the Blantyre 42.195 km race which is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2024, in Blantyre.
Under the theme ‘PACE UP,’ the Blantyre 42.195 km race aims to inspire participation in sports and physical activities across all ages, genders, and abilities. In addition to the marathon, MNCS has introduced 10 km and 5 km races, catering to non-professional runners who wish to join the event.
According to Edgar Ntulumbwa, Public Relations and Communications Officer at MNCS, the health walks are free and open to everyone.
“We encourage everyone to participate in these health walks. As a council, beyond regulating sports in the country, we also have a duty to promote widespread participation in sports and physical activities. These walks are part of that effort. They also serve to familiarize Blantyre citizens and the nation with the marathon route,” Ntulumbwa explained.
Ntulumbwa added that the initiative builds on last year’s successful health walks during the fifth edition of the marathon, which saw tremendous public participation.
“While these walks are designed to promote the Blantyre 42.195 km race, our goal is to continue organizing them even after the competition,” he added.
The walks will trace the marathon route, beginning at the main gate of Kamuzu Stadium and passing through key landmarks, including the ShopRite roundabout, Independence Arc, Kenyatta Drive, and Kwacha roundabout, before looping through Kamba, Kapeni, Kuhes, and several other notable locations, and finally returning to the stadium.
Similar health walks are planned in Lilongwe, starting from the Kamuzu Institute of Sport, and in Mzuzu.
This year winner of the Blantyre 42.195 km race, will take home MK1,500,000, while the second and third places will receive MK1,000,000 and MK750,000, respectively.