The 16^th edition of the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Marathon and it’s supporting events, the Tigo Half Marathon and the Grand Malt Fun Run was taken to a new level in terms of number of runners participating and supporters on the route and at the finish welcoming the champion competitors in.

A target maximum carrying capacity of the various events, as set by the race organisers to ensure that medical and security services were not over stretched and enough rehydration was available, was set at 500 for the full marathon, 5250 for the half marathon and 5000 for the fun run.

This was reached with half a day of registration still to go, for the half, and full, with latecomers who did not book on time only having places in the Fun Run to take. Next year, runners will need to book even earlier.

The final number of runners to start the event were 459 in the Full Marathon and 5332 in the Half Marathon – all of whom received medals and T shirts, and around 5000 in the fun.

A soft rain fell the night before the Big Day, allowing the earth to cool, the dust to settle and Kili showed herself in a soft haze of cloud in the early morning at the start of the marathon. More perfect conditions could not have been wished for.

Failuna Abdi (26), the only Tanzanian to stand on the podium this year, finished second in the ladies 21km Race, in a time of 01:13:52, just 7 seconds behind Grace Kimanzi, of Kenya, who took the ladies race in a time of 1:13:45, while Geofry Torotich, in a time of 1:03:26 dominated the men’s half marathon finish.

The Kenyan’s took home all other accolades in terms of the top 10 positions in the full and the half marathon, for both the men and ladies races.

Cosmas Muteti won in a time of 2:17:01 for the Men’s 42km event and collected a great Tsh 4m/, as the cash prize for his outstanding achievement.

While the women’s 42km race was also a Kenyan affair, Flavious Kwamboka, taking home top runner in a time of 2:48:39 and the same prize money cheque amount!

Technology this year was at the forefront of raising the Kilimanjaro Marathon race profile and focus. Tigo Pesa introduced a registration process and payment portal that made it easier for local athletes to register and pay. The introduction of the Chip on Race numbers allowed for a more seamless time keeping and results process along with a photo finish video when you downloaded your results off the website.

John Addison, The Race Director of the Marathon and also MD of Wild Frontiers was quoted as saying, ‘this was just the best event since inception! Everything came together and we are truly proud of what we achieved at the 2018 Kilimarathon.’

‘Our thanks goes to all the supporters and stakeholders, from the numerous sponsors on board, to the Government and local municipality services, the Police, KAAA and then the runners who descended on Moshi from far and near for the weekend!!!’

‘We are also incredibly proud of our association to The Kilimanjaro Project this year, an initiative started by Sarah Scott, who’s aim is to plant 1 Million Trees on Kilimanjaro. The Glaciers of Kilimanjaro are disappearing and with the introduction of more trees to the region, more rain fall will occur and this will diminish the effects of climate change. Runners and Sponsors alike contributed towards this worthwhile cause and we are proud to have been part of this initiative – Tuje Pamoja – Let us come together!’