Top runners, dignitaries for Mbeya Tulia Marathon
Parliament Speaker Tulia Ackson (right) goes for a special run before taking part in the Mbeya Tulia Marathon. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The dignitaries in the race are Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who will feature in the five kilometres race along with Parliament Speaker Tulia Ackson, Arts, Culture, Sports Deputy minister Hamis Mwinjuma (Mwana FA), some Members of Parliament and other runners, according to Tulia Trust Foundation Information Officer Joshua Edward.
Dar es Salaam. Well-known runners and dignitaries are expected to spice up this year’s Betika Mbeya Tulia Marathon scheduled to take place on Friday and Sunday in Mbeya Region.
Some runners include Sarah Ramadhan, who was among the athletes selected to form the national team ahead of searching for the Olympic Games qualifying marks.
Apart from Ramadhan, also on the list are Siwema Julius, a national team runner, who will compete in the 800 metres and Angel John who will feature in the marathon and Hamis Misai, who was placed eighth in the marathon of the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, the United Kingdom in 2022. Misai, who was competing for the first time, recorded his personal best time of 2:15:59.
The dignitaries in the race are Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who will feature in the five kilometres race along with Parliament Speaker Tulia Ackson, Arts, Culture, Sports Deputy minister Hamis Mwinjuma (Mwana FA), some Members of Parliament and other runners, according to Tulia Trust Foundation Information Officer Joshua Edward.
Edward said preparations for the event are in top gear and about 5,000 participants are expected to feature in the race.
Besides the five kilometres race, there will also be the 10 kilometres event, a half marathon as well as the full marathon to be held on May 11.
“On May 10, there will be track and field events such as 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,500 metres to be held at the Sokoine Stadium. We are expecting to have thrilling events,” said Edward.
For his part, Betika Public Relations Officer Rugambwa Juvenalius said that they are proud to be part of the athletics promoters and that’s why they have sponsored the event.
Juvenalius said apart from being the main sponsors, their firm will cover entrance fees and other expenses for 460 athletes competing in the annual event.
The athletes are to come from Mtwara, Rukwa, Iringa, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam and Dodoma regions without forgetting runners from the host region, Mbeya.
