Tanzania: Rock City Marathon Gets Bigger, Goes International

NINE countries are expected to participate in this year’s 21-kilometre race in the Rock City Marathon 2012 to be held at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza on October 28, this year.

The marathon Coordinator Grace Sanga from Capital-Plus International (CPI), the organizer of the annual marathon said that invitations have been extended to runners from East Africa and other western countries in coordination with their embassies in the country.

She listed the countries as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and other western countries as Australia, India, Canada and United States where she added that they hope to have an increased number of runners for this year’s marathon whose package has been greatly improved.

“Stakeholders in sports are happy that invitations have been sent out to neighbouring countries, asking for their participation in this year’s marathon. We expect to have more foreign participants compared to previous years when we could have just a few people.

This exhibits yearly growth of the marathon and also proves that the competition will be tight,” said Grace. This annual race which is organized by CPI, an integrated communications firm and sanctioned by the Athletics Tanzania (AT) is grouped into five categories where the main race will cover 21 kilometres for both men and women.

She mentioned other races as a five-kilometre corporate classic race, a threekilometre race for people who are physically impaired, a three kilometre race for elderly (55years plus) and a two-km for children (7-10). Grace said that the event which has proved to be a big success since it was initiated in 2009, aims to promote the domestic tourism concept through sports.

“Mwanza is rich in tourist attraction sites and we intend to see this year’s marathon highlighting Mwanza’s potential in tourism. The half marathon will start at the CCM Kirumba Stadium, taking different routes and back to the stadium for the final lap,” she said.

Official sponsors for this year’s event are National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Airtel Tanzania, Geita Gold Mine, Air Tanzania Company Limited, Parastatal Pensions Fund (PPF), African Barrick Gold, New Africa Hotel, Nyanza Bottles, New Mwanza Hotel, Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB).

Grace added that this year’s rock city marathon participants and fans will also get the chance to witness Juma Nature a.k.a Sir Nature and his group performing live during the breathtaking event. Registration fees raised from participants in these races will be channeled to supporting people who are physically impaired in Mwanza.