Massive turnout in JTI Marathon
Danison Nthembulembu and Yagona Nyasulu beat a pool of 560 athletes to scoop gold in the 2019 Japanese Tobacco International (JTI) marathon that took place in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Nthembulembu won gold in 15-kilometre (km) men’s category after finishing the race in1:04:44 hours hours.
Dingani Soko got silver on second position after clocking 1:16:18 hours while Webster Anusa was third (1:28:14 hours).
Nyasulu won the 15km ladies category after finishing the race in 1:15 hours.
Tamara Chafunya was second (1:33:04 hours) while third-placed Mariam Matola clocked 1:37:23 hours.
In the 10km men’s race, Charles Chikwawe won gold, Madalitso Mafosha was second while Eden Chirwa won bronze.
Edina Kalele won the ladies 10km race followed by Elita Chilima Banda on second position while Wezi Kamanga finished third.
Mathews Lisile won the 5km men’s race. Kwame Kasito was second while Esau Banda was third.
In the ladies 5km category, the honours went to Kitty Mngolo. Emmanuella Phiri was second while Agnes Mbewe was third.
JTI managing director Fries Vanneste described the marathon as a success.
“It’s been a great success and the turnout was huge. This is about promoting mass sports, mental and physical health.
“It is also about interaction between JTI employees, the community and also other professionals from various companies and organisations using the power of sports,” said Vanneste.
Athletics Association of Malawi vice-president Emmanuel Mlonya thanked JTI for organising the marathon.
“You could see from the turnout and also the enthusiasm that people like distance running, but don’t have platforms to do that more. This is a good development,” he said.
