Preparations are complete for the highly anticipated Blantyre 42.195 km marathon, scheduled to take place tomorrow, 7th September 2024, at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
This year’s event has attracted over 300 athletes, with an additional 10 km and 5 km races included for broader participation.
Earlier this week, the Malawi National Council of Sports announced the removal of registration fees for both the 42 km and 10 km races, aiming to encourage more athletes to join the competition.
Beyond the marathon, a range of activities will be available to add excitement to the day. These include aerobics, starting at 5:30 am, as well as fun events like tug-of-war and sack races, offering something for everyone.
The winners of the 42.195 km race will receive MK1,500,000 for first place, MK1,000,000 for second place, and MK700,000 for third place, with consolation prizes awarded to those finishing in positions four through ten.
In the 10 km category, the first-place winner will take home MK300,000, while second and third places will receive MK250,000 and MK150,000, respectively. Meanwhile, for the 5 km race, the top three winners will be awarded MK250,000, MK150,000, and MK100,000.
This year’s event is being held under the theme “Pace Up”, motivating athletes to push their limits.
In last year’s marathon, Nalicy Chirwa claimed victory in the women’s category, while Grevazio Mpani took the top spot in the men’s race.