Sports Council plans big for BT Marathon

Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) says it has big plans for the revived Blantyre City Marathon set for November 18.

Ruth Mzengo, sports development officer for Sports Council said they decided to revive the marathon to promote the sport by offering big prizes to winners in both men’s and women’s categories.

“We have never had a marathon since 2007 in Blantyre and the idea is to promote athletics, especially marathon, since most of our athletes are long distance runners,” she said.

Mzengo said the marathon will also create awareness and visibility for potential sponsors.

“This is why the route has been made in such a way that it goes through the locations where people live and city centre where the corporate companies are,” she said.

Apart from the marathon, middle distance runners will also participate in a relay race to spice up the event.

There will also be fun runners.

Meanwhile, Mzengo has said the council plans to turn the marathon into a reputable international race.

“We want this event to become an international competition and next year the International Athletics Association Federation [IAAF] technical team will be invited to certify the route for it to be recognised internationally.”

Sports Council has set up committees to oversee the organisation of the event, especially in marketing and fundraising for the event budget at K15 million.

Marketing committee chairperson Unkhankhu Ng’oma said fundraising for the event is on track.

“We have got support from some companies to help towards the organisation of the marathon,” he said.

In the men’s category, champions will receive K1 million while K800 000 is for women’s gold medallist.

Runners will be required to pay K10 000 registration fee by November 15.

Blantyre City Marathon was popular when it was sponsored by Nico Holdings Limited in the early 2000s.

It produced long distance legend Henry Moyo, who went on to win international competitions.