Half marathon winners Mozambique bound

Outstanding half marathon athletes in Blantyre this Sunday will represent the country at the Africa Region V Championship in June,  Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) has announced.

AAM president Godfrey Phiri in an interview said over 200 athletes from across the country are expected to take part in the 21-kilometre race.

“We expect it to be competitive because apart from the prize money, those that will do well will go to Maputo where they will have a chance to expose their talent at an international tournament,” he said.

Phiri said the half-marathon, which has been organised using K2 million (about $2 993) funding from Malawi National Council of Sports, will be in three categories, namely men, women and veterans.

“We want to give every athlete an equal opportunity to contest, that’s why we have these categories,” he said.

All the winners in the three categories will pocket K100 000 (about $150) while the runners-up will get K50 000 and third place finish is valued at K25 000 (about $37).

But AAM has promised to give an extra K50 000 (about $75) to anyone who will finish the race in one hour two minutes.

“That time is a standard for Olympic Games qualification race. We want our athletes to achieve that hence that extra prize,” Phiri explained.

Last year’s full marathon champion Francis Khanje, his runner-up Stuart Banda and experienced runner Mike Tebulo have all confirmed their participation.

“I am ready to compete and win again this time,” Khanje said.