Tanzania to host marathon trials ahead of Florida event

DAR ES SALAAM: ATHLETICS Tanzania (AT) is set to host a national marathon exhibition on November 15th in Arusha, as part of a broader effort to scout for new talent and form a national team that will represent the country at an international marathon in Florida, USA, scheduled for January 10th.

The event will bring together both elite and emerging long-distance runners from across the country. According to AT, the exhibition will act as a platform to assess and select athletes with the potential to compete at international level.

“We are using this exhibition not just to showcase talent but to identify those who are ready to represent the country,” said Athletics Tanzania President Rogath Steven.

He continued: “The selected athletes will form the core of our national marathon team heading to Florida early next year.”

This announcement comes in the wake of World Champion Alphonce Simbu’s return to Tanzania, following his historic gold medal win in Tokyo, Japan earlier this month.

Speaking upon Simbu’s arrival, President Steven said the gold medal would serve as a morale boost to the entire athletics community.

“This medal is a reminder that winning on the world stage is possible but only through dedication and hard work. Simbu’s achievement is not just personal. It’s a national milestone that shows our young athletes that they can reach the same levels if they remain disciplined,” he said.

He further noted that the impact of Simbu’s win goes beyond motivation. “We expect to see a surge in participation from young people who now believe it is possible to compete globally. This will lead to the growth of athletics in both urban and rural areas,” he added.

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The president also recognised other top Tanzanian athletes, including Gabriel Geay and Magdalena Shauri, highlighting them as role models for the next generation.

“These names are now household names and our goal is to add more to that list. The upcoming exhibition in Arusha is just the beginning,” he said.