Bank M deputy CEO Jacqueline Woiso (C) speaking about the 2014 Rotary Dar Marathon. The marathon which is an annual event will be held on October 14.
The Rotary Dar half Marathon 2014 hosted by the six clubs in Dar es Salaam in partnership with Bank M is on track for its biggest year yet. Entries are expected to surpass last year’s figures and Rotarians are looking forward to welcoming more runners and walkers than ever before.
Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi will once again flag off the marathon and walk the nine kilometre to empower future leaders through education, in which funds are being raised to refurbish the 400 square metre state of the art Entrepreneurship Resource Center at the University of Dar es Salaam by providing a 85 thin client computer network with all software and support disability access.
The event is to take place on Tuesday October 14 (Nyerere Day) at the Green on Kenyatta Drive Oysterbay. This year there will be four categories for entry: 21.1 kilometre, a 21.1 kilometre cycling race which starts at 6:00am, nine kilometre and a family fun walk of five kilometre starting at 7:00 am. Over 10,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s event.
The half marathon has attracted elite runners from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Malawi due to the increased prize money in both the male and female half marathon categories. The event is also looking to host the Tanzanian competitive runners and police plus army to sharpen the competitive instincts on the field.
The winner in both male and female will pocket 3m/-, runners-up 2m/- and third-placed finisher one million shillings. All participants in the half marathon will receive a medal and a certificate of recognition for their appearance.
Speaking during a special media brief in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Vikash Shah, the event’s chairman, said: “Rotarians are delighted with the level of interest the event has attracted this year, but particularly proud of the fact that runners and walkers that have registered are participating to empower future leaders through education, to make a difference in our community.”
Vikash said the Marathon is expecting to collect 600m/- for the completion of the Resource centre and so far about 400m/- has already been pledged.
On her side, Bank M deputy CEO, Jacqueline Woiso comments that “Bank M is committed to supporting community- based projects with Rotary, as our effort will help future generations of graduates to become entrepreneurs and good leaders which is essential in a developing nation like ours’.
Bank M has been the main partner to the event since its inception in 2009.
Board chair of the Rotary Dar Marathon Sharmila Bhatt said: “With the level of participation, the Rotary Dar Marathon has indicated that it shall reach its target collection to complete the refurbishment of the Entrepreneurship Resource Center at the University of Dar es Salaam.”
For the past five years, the Rotary Dar Marathon has managed to conduct several projects including planting trees, providing water and sanitation to schools and the project was setting up a state of the art children cancer ward at the Muhimbili National Hospital. The ward, which is one of the best Pediatric Oncology facility in the African continent, was launched late last year.
Rotary Dar Marathon would like to thank all sponsors namely SBC Tanzania, Azam, Clouds Fm, UDSM, KPMG, BG, Soft-Tech, Spice Net Ltd, Security Printers, ALaf, Ultimate Security, BG Tanzania, Toyota Tanzania, and all friends of Rotary.
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