By Llywellenie Mpasa
Grevazio Mpani and Nalicy Chirwa conquered the fifth edition of the Blantyre 42.195km race Sunday.
Mpani won the men’s section after leaving the crowd in awe with a jaw-dropping time of 2:19:30.
With previous achievements in Malawi’s racing history, including a victory at the Be- More Race in Lilongwe last year and a commendable third-place finish in the gruelling Mulanje Mountain Porters Race, Mpani solidified his place as a true champion in the world of racing.
“I trained relentlessly for this moment and crossing that finish line as the Blantyre Marathon champion was quite fulfilling,” he said.
Ndacha Cherenje won a silver medal while Mphatso Nadolo secured bronze.
In the women’s category, Chirwa once again dominated the race, claiming the title for the fourth time.
“I dedicate this victory to all the women out there. Let us keep pushing the boundaries and show the world what we are capable of doing,” she said.
Tereza Master won silver whereas Zinenani Stefano got bronze.
Malawi National Council of Sports Vice Board Chairperson Charles Ulaya commended the athletes for their remarkable performances.
“The athletes’ performance has been awe-inspiring, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and dedication that makes Malawi proud,” Ulaya said.
Chairperson for the organising committee, Chifundo Tenthani, said this year’s Blantyre race attracted over 80 athletes.
He reiterated that the race’s noble cause extends beyond the realm of sports, as the proceeds generated from the event will be dedicated to assisting the survivors of Cyclone Freddy, which hit the country earlier this year, causing widespread devastation and suffering.
Both Chirwa and Mpani received K1.5 million each in prize money.
Runners-up and third-place finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories walked away with K1 million and K500,000, respectively.
