By Phillip Pasula
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Chikondi Mwanyali of Civo Athletics Club successfully defended his title as champion of the men’s 21 Kilometre Mzuzu City Half Marathon on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Mwanyali not only defended the title but also broke the record from 1 hour 8 minutes 43 seconds last year, to 1 hour 6 minutes and 47 seconds this year.
He therefore went away with MK2 million, of which MK1.5 million was for winning the title while MK500,000.00 was for breaking last year’s record.
Chancy Master from Kamuzu Barracks finished second and also broke last year’s winner’s record as he came to the finishing line after 1 hour 7 minutes and 14 seconds.
He went away with MK1.5 million. Gervazio Mpani, also of Civo Athletics Club finished third and got MK500,000.00.
In the ladies’ category, last year’s winner Nalise Chirwa of Forever Athletics Club in Mzuzu dropped to third, allowing Fostina Mbemba of Moyale Barracks to clinch the championship after running for 1 hour 25 minutes and 42 seconds.
She got MK1.5 million. Tereza Master of Mulanje Athletics Club was the runner up and recorded 1 hour 26 minutes and 34 seconds. She got MK1 million, twice as much as what Nalise Chirwa got on the third position.
On top of the cash prizes, the winning athletes were also given humpers from Lilongwe Dairy and beautiful pieces of cloth from the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
“I’m so happy to have broken last year’s record. I’m really inspired and I know this will help me to get more support and sponsorship.
“My desire is to be an international athlete who can often rub shoulders with Kenyan, Ugandan and Jamaican athletes,” said the 21-year-old champion, Chikondi Mwanyali.
Fostina Mbemba who finished fourth last year but is champion this year, told Maravi Post “It was her first experience to come out tops in a 21-Kilometre race.
“I have always wanted to be champion of a race like this one. I’m glad I have made it this year. I will continue to work hard for more success,” she said.
Vice Board Chairperson for the Malawi National Council of Sports who was Guest of Honour, Charles Ulaya Banda, said it felt good to see more companies coming in to support the event this year.
“We are here again this year because we said Mzuzu City Half Marathon will be an annual event. We are very humbled for the support we have gotten from the corporate world. We rate this event highly and we promise that cash prizes will continue to increase,” said Ulaya.
The starting point for the half marathon was Saint John’s Hospital.
From there, the runners went up past Marymount Girls Secondary School to Mzuzu Technical College to Chiputula; down to Mzuzu Airport to Shoprite Roundabout, to clock tower; past Taifa Market and finished in the stadium, after the second lap.