Simbu, Shauri, Sakilu to spice up CRDB Marathon

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s top runners, who featured in the Paris Olympic Games—Alphonce Simbu, Magdalena Shauri, and Jackline Sakilu—will spice up the fifth edition of the CRDB Marathon scheduled for August 18 in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, the Director of Corporate Affairs and Managing Director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, Tully Esther Mwambapa, said the runners will feature in the 5-kilometers fun run, which will also feature Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Doto Biteko, as the guest of honour.

Apart from Biteko, various dignitaries will also join the fun run on the day.

She mentioned that according to rules and regulations, Simbu, Shauri, and Sakilu are not allowed to compete in the full or half marathon, as they have just returned from the Olympic Games and will be eligible to compete in races after three months have passed.

She added that all preparations for the event are complete, and they are now just waiting for the day.

The Bank has set aside Sh98.3 million to award various winners in the event’s categories.

Mwambapa noted that they have decided to offer substantial prizes to the winners in recognition of the participants' value and the prestige of the competition, which has now attracted international participants.

The winners of the 42.2-kilometers race, both men and women, will be awarded Sh10m each, while the runners-up will receive Sh5m, and the third-placed finishers will get Sh2m.

Additionally, there will be prizes for the fourth to sixth finishers.

If the winners are from foreign countries, the Bank will also award Tanzanians topping the winners' list with Sh2m each.

In the half marathon, the winners will receive Sh5m each, while the runners-up and third-placed finishers will be awarded Sh2m and Sh1m, respectively.

There will also be prizes for the fourth to sixth finishers, with the Bank awarding Sh1m to Tanzanians topping the winners' list.

For the 10-kilometers race, the winners will be awarded Sh2m, while the runners-up and third-placed finishers will receive Sh300,000 and Sh150,000, respectively.

There will also be prizes for the fourth to sixth finishers.

In addition, the 5-kilometers race winners will receive lunch vouchers worth Sh250,000 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, along with a Sh500,000 voucher for purchasing sports equipment at the Shadaka Sports Wear Store.

There will also be a 65-kilometers cycling race, whereby top finishers will receive two different prizes. There will be cash prizes as well as accommodation at a five-star hotel.

The prizes will also apply to the winners of the 10-kilometers race.

The cycling winner will receive Sh3m, the runner-up will get Sh1.5m, and the third-placed finisher will receive Sh1m.

There will also be children’s special prizes including bicycles and sports equipment worth Sh1m from Ramohs Kids Toys, as well as Junior Jumbo accounts with a Sh500,000 deposit.

The Bank has also staged the event in DR Congo and Burundi, raising funds to support communities.