Tragedy dampens Kili race
Tanzania’s Emmanuel Giniki crosses the finish line at the 2017 Kilimanjaro Marathon in Moshi yesterday. PHOTO | SULEIMAN JONGO
What you need to know:
- Charles Maroa, a Kenyan athlete, collapsed shortly after competing in the men’s half marathon and died a few minutes.
- The 36-year-old runner died while undergoing treatment at KCMC Hospital, the first tragedy to hit the event since its inception, according to the race director, John Bayo.
Moshi. Kenyan runners dominated the 2017 Kilimanjaro Marathon here yesterday which was, however, hit by tragedy as one athlete died.
Charles Maroa, a Kenyan athlete, collapsed shortly after competing in the men’s half marathon and died a few minutes.
The 36-year-old runner died while undergoing treatment at KCMC Hospital, the first tragedy to hit the event since its inception, according to the race director, John Bayo.
“He had competed in the men’s 21km race. We are at a loss to understand how this has happened. It’s a massive shock,” said Bayo said yesterday.
Kilimanjaro Police Commander Wilbroad Mutafngwa confirmed the incident yesterday, saying Maroa was taken to hospital after collapsing at the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
Tanzanian athletes had nothing to cheer about at the 2017 Kilimanjaro Marathon as Kenyans stole the show in Moshi.
The Kenyan runners won top ten positions in both men’s and women’s events of the race sanctioned by the world athletics governing body (IAAF).
In the grueling men’s 42km race, Moses Hengiti won gold after clocking 2:16:42 followed by his compatriots William Koskei and Yangus Katum, who finished second and third respectively.
Emmanuel Giniki, 28, was the only runner who did Tanzanians proud as he stormed to victory in the men’s half marathon (21km), which was also dominated by Kenyans.
In the closely-contested race, which attracted over 7, 000 runners from over 40 countries across the world, Giniki finished well ahead Kenyan runners, clocking 1:03:49, to the delight of local athletics fans.
He was the only Tanzanian runner in the top 10 at the event.
Kenyans George Njoroge finished second in 1:04:32, nine seconds ahead of third-placed Alaxander Munyao.
“I am very excited to win the 21km race at Kili M arathon. It’s not easy to beat Kenyans,” the 28-years old Giniki, who is a member of from Shahanga club in Manyara Region, said.
“It was my biggest desire to win this race, so I worked hard and thanks God I have made it,” joyous Giniki, who is the national cross - country winner added.
