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One of Malawi’s top athletes Henry Moyo from Zomba Police out-paced other runners to emerge the winner of a Nico/Blantyre City Marathon and Fun Run organised by Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) on Saturday at Chichiri Stadium.
Moyo covered the 42 km race in 2:18:26 which was three minutes short of his previous record that he set in Kim’s Full Marathon last year. He was followed by Patson Luhanga from the Army who clocked 2:26:26.
Francis Khanje of Mulanje was third after clocking 2:28:55. In the women’s race Lucia Chandamale was the champion when she crossed the finishing line after 3:16:24 while Constance Pambalipe of Zomba was second after 4:16:47 followed by Adziwa Wilman whose time was not recorded.
Athletes from Mulanje dominated the fun run as Chancy Masitala, Lawrence Mwinjiro and Lucius Mvula grabbed the first three positions in that order for the men’s meet and in the women’s competition Treazer, (a sister to Chancy) who won the PSI Porters Race last week, was the champion followed by Agness Chikwakwa and Alefa Daleni.
There was also a race for people with disabilities, and in the wheel chair category Mabvuto Black won the first prize followed by Christopher Mhura and Christopher Chimalizeni.
Moses Nthethwa won the first prize for the blind runners and was presented with a track suit top by Minister of Sports Henderson Mabeti while Simeon Chiutsi was on second position followed by Griffin Machaka.
In the tricycle category Mussa Mpando was the champion while Vincent Phiri was on second position and Chikwama Wadi was third.
The youngest athlete to finish the 10km fun run was nine-year-old Kamao Karim who was given a trophy.
There were cash prizes for the winners ranging from K20,000 to K500 including trophies, Nico umbrellas and certificates of participation.
Chairman of Nico Holdings Limited George Jaffu said Nico decided to sponsor the marathon and fun run to associate themselves with the communities in all the regions.
“As a corporate citizen we feel it is our social responsibility to provide an opportunity for athletes to explore their talent and to compliment efforts made by other stakeholders in the development of sports. We have decided to make this an annual event,” said Jaffu.
AAM president Dunstain Mwaugulu thanked the mayor of Blantyre City Assembly John Chikakwiya for hosting and Nico Holdings Limited for sponsoring the event which was spiced up by music from the army brass band.
“There was great fun. Athletics is very important because it is entertaining to the residents of the city,” said Mwaungulu.
Mwaungulu encouraged athletes to work hard and excel in their various sports so that they can get scholarships which are available. He added that Malawi will host next year’s Junior Athletics Championships involving 12 countries from the Southern African region.
Taking his turn Mabeti said government cannot take for granted what Nico Holdings Limited has done by sponsoring the marathon.
“Malawi has a lot of young talented athletes, who can make it big both at national and international level if given the necessary technical, moral and financial support,” said Mabeti.
Mabeti said athletes like Catherine Chikwakwa and Francis Munthali have brought glory to the nation, so there is need to have more of such athletes so that Malawi’s name can continue gaining ground on the world athletics map.
“I wish to encourage the Athletics Association of Malawi, which has ably organized this marathon, to organize regular competitions in order to stimulate interest and boost morale of athletes in the country,” he said.
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