AfricaPress-Tanzania: MWANZA Regional Commissioner (RC), John Mongella has lauded Rocky City Marathon for promoting the lake zone’s economy as thousands of local and foreign runners take part in the event.
This year’s 11th season of the Rock City Marathon ended on Sunday with participants from Kenya emerging victorious.
RC Mongella expressed satisfaction with the rapid growth of the race noting that the increased number of participants has been of great economic benefit to the region as well in the promotion of local tourism.
“The growth that is being witnessed in this race is a clear sign that it will be one of the biggest races not only in the country but also internationally.
Rock City Marathon season 11 was held at Rock City Mall parking grounds featuring 21 km, 10 km and 5km races where approximately 3000 participants from within and outside the country participated including running clubs from various regions, a number organisations and institutions, government officials, people with albinism and children.
The race is designed to promote the athlete talents while promoting local tourism, especially the Lake region.
Kenyan athlete Edward Kibet emerged victorious in the 21km race on the men’s side after clocking 1:04:52 followed by his fellow Kenyan Bernard Msau who clocked 1:04:55 while Tanzanian athlete Mathayo Sombi finished in the third place after clocking 1:06:11 Ugandan Doreen Chemuthi won the women’s race after recording 1:15:06 followed by Kenyans Nesphine Teplenting and Cecilia Wayda who clocked 1:15:35 and1:26:56 in the second and third places, respectively. Tanzanian female athlete Angelina Tsere, who clocked 1:26:56 finished in the tenth place.
Tanzanian International athlete, Alphone Simbu failed to make it to the top ten saying his participation in the race was the beginning of his preparations so that he could do better in the near coming international races following his long time injury break.
RC Mongella also commended various stakeholders who participated in the success of the race including St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), TIPER, Magare Company Ltd, Tanzania Tourits Board (TTB), KCB Bank, Garda World, CF Hospital, Bugando Hospital, Azam Bakhresa Group through its Uhai water product, Pepsi, Azam TV and ITV TV stations as well as all the media for promoting the race.
