Africa Day Marathon turns Tanzania-Ethiopia showdown

DAR ES SALAAM: ETHIOPIAN female athletes stole the spotlight during the special Africa Day Marathon held in Dar es Salaam, clinching top honours in the women’s 21-kilometer race.

The event was organized to commemorate Africa Day and attracted both local and international runners.

Ethiopia’s Azam Herfoyo Ali claimed first place in the women’s half marathon after clocvking 1 hou, 11 minutes  and 49 seconds to claim  4m/- cash prize.

Close behind her was a Tanzanian runner, Hamida Nasoro, who clocked 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 54 seconds to finish as the runner-up.

Third overall was a Tanzanian, Failuna Abdi Matanga, who completed the 21-kilometer race in 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 29 seconds.

Fourth ovberall was Ethiopia’s Ametshai Demetshu who clocked 1:17:40.

In the men’s 21-kilometer race, Tanzania’s Faraja Damas won the race with a time of 1 hour,02 minutes and 34 seconds to pocket 4m/- cash prize.

Joseph Panda finished second in 1:02:39 and earned 2.5m/-, while Vuai Dawa claimed third place in 1:02:42, taking home 2m/-. Inyasi Sule finished fourth in 1:02:48 and received 1m/-.

The 10-kilometer women’s race saw Neema Festo emerge as the winner, clocking 32:27 to earn 2.5m/-.

Transform Musa Altima finished second in 32:30, Agnes Protas Mishima was placed third in 35:06, while Sarah Ramadhan came fourth in 35:16.

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In the men’s 10-kilometer category, Jumanne Mnanda led the pack with a time of 29:02, winning 1.5m/-.

John Welle followed closely in 29:05, while Benjamin Ferdinand secured third place with a time of 29:09. Sinda Daniel rounded out the top four with a time of 29:15.

Young athletes under the age of 14 also participated in the event.

The 10-year-old Jefferson Amos completed the 10-kilometer run and was awarded for his achievement.

The event was graced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Dr. Samwel Shelukindo, who led the participants in the 21-kilometer race.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Dr. Shelukindo commended the athletes and emphasized the goal of expanding the event’s reach in the coming years.

“This year, we invited runners from Ethiopia. Next year, we plan to invite more African countries to expand the Africa Day Marathon,” he stated.

The race, officially named the Africa Day Marathon, began and ended at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.