All-inclusive

“We are absolutely delighted by the Tanzanian running talent that was on show this year,” said race director John Addison. “It was fantastic to have representation in all our events finishing in the top 10 positions.”

Local runners took home top honours in the men’s races by winning both the marathon and the half marathon. The top two places in the women’s marathon were taken by Kenyan runners.

Tanzanians made a clean sweep in the men’s half marathon as Emmanuel Giniki won the title in an impressive 1:00:34, with Gabriel Geay and Inyasi Sulley following up in second and third places respectively in 01:02:04 and 01:04:10.

In the women’s half marathon Kenyan Agness Ngolo finished well ahead of Tanzanian Jackline Sakilu (1:12:16.to 1:14:49) followed by fellow Tanzanian Natalie Elisante in 1:15:06.

Prime Minister Majaliwa participated in Grand Malt’s 5km Fun Run and took this opportunity to address the crowds at MoCu Stadium, calling on Tanzanians to value the sports sector as a key element in promoting tourism and the national economy. The Kilimanjaro Marathon, he argued, helps to promote the country’s natural wonder Mount Kilimanjaro. He stressed that the country must develop local sponsors and trainers and urged Tanzanian ambassadors abroad to look for opportunities that will help Tanzanian sportsmen and women in the development of their careers.

This year the Kilimanjaro Marathon attracted 10,000 participants across the three different races, with 58 different nationalities represented. Addison said the focus this year was to make the event more inclusive and hold it over a longer period, instead of just a single race day.

“We moved registration to the MoCu Stadium for the three days prior to race day and started the People’s Expo. This allows corporates to get involved and promote their services and brands. It gave them access to the participants so they could engage with them in a more relaxed atmosphere as runners came to collect their race numbers.

“We were delighted with the uptake of smaller businesses getting involved, and with the entertainment they provided through activities, competitions, displays, promotions and giveaways from their tents. This is definitely an area we plan on growing as it allows for a greater overall experience during the Marathon weekend.”

Another huge success was the inclusion of Tumaini La Maisha Tanzania (TLM) as the official charity. TLM is a charity that aims to reach every child in Tanzania who develops cancer, to offer them high-quality treatment free of charge along with the hope for a continued healthy life.

Many of the individuals who ran dedicated their achievements to the charity by actively engaging supporters and corporates to donate to them. Through their efforts TLM managed to raise close to USD 10,000 (EUR 9,940).

The donations received will be used to support two junior doctors caring for child cancer patients at the local hospital in Moshi, KCMC. The money will also be used to help support a nutrition programme using fresh whole food solutions for the seriously malnourished.

Addison commented: “KCMC is active along the marathon and half marathon route as part of our medical support team. To run past this amazing medical facility and to know we are making a small but helpful contribution to its wellbeing was of major importance to us. To be giving back in some small way to both the Hospital and the Children of Moshi is a vital part of our social responsibility as an event,” John commented.

Addison thanked all the race sponsors, most of which have been partners to this amazing race for more than 10 years. Tanzanian Breweries Limited have been a sponsor of the event since inception. “They believed in the race when it only had a handful of participants, they saw the vision, and they helped us grow it,” said Addison.