Mount Meru Marathon winners eye Rio ticket
What you need to know:
Tsere, an Arusha-based marathoner, won the women’s 21-kilometre race after clocking 1 hour, 14 minutes and five seconds while Sylvester spent 1:02:77 hours to cross the finish line.
Arusha. Winners of the Mount Meru Marathon, Angelina Tsere and Marco Sylvester are optimistic that Sunday’s feats will motivate them in their pursuit for the 2016 Rio Olympics tickets.
Tsere, an Arusha-based marathoner, won the women’s 21-kilometre race after clocking 1 hour, 14 minutes and five seconds while Sylvester spent 1:02:77 hours to cross the finish line.
The Mount Meru Marathon returned over the weekend after 15 years of hiatus.
“I am happy with this medal, I trained hard and I see it is paying off. I am now focused on securing my ticket for next year’s Olympic Games,” Tsere said after the race.
Sylvester, who hails from Singida, echoed Tsere’s remarks, describing the victory as a springboard in his ambitious chase for the 2016 Rio Games qualifying marks.
The first runner-up in the men’s category was Faraja Lazaro from Holili in Kilimanjaro who clocked 1:02:53 followed closely by Joseph Sulle at 1:03:11.
In the women’s event, the silver medal went to Rozaria Fabian who timed 1:18:15 followed by Rebeca Kavina who spent 1:20:00 to cross the line.
The winner in the men’s category went home with Sh400,000, while the first runner-up got Sh150,000 and the second runner-up pocketed Sh100,000.
The winner in the women’s category got Sh300,000, while the first runner-up got Sh150,000 and the second runner-up earned Sh100,000.
Denis Malley won the 5-kilometre race in the men’s category followed by Joseph Siima and Maxmilian Lange while Mary Naali shined in the women’s category followed by Silvia Joseph and Victoria Thomas, all from Arusha.
Alfred Nicholaus from Mambo Leo Digital Centre, the sponsors of the race said the event will now be taking place annually and that shortfalls identified this year, including shortage of medals, water, and traffic jams, would be history.
“We have seen some weaknesses, but I promise that the next edition will be superb. We want it to regain its dented respect, so the race will be taking place yearly,” he said, commending the Arusha athletics body for its cooperation.
Arusha City sports officer Maneno Maneno, however, advised organisers of the race to consider promoting Mount Kilimanjaro by using a logo bearing a picture of the roof of Africa.
