Ngorongoro Marathon 2013

Tanzania’s seasoned long distance runner Dickson Marwa beat a field of 300 athletes to win the sixth edition of Ngorogoro Half Marathon yesterday.The 33-year-old runner clocked 1:04.49 to walk away with a Sh1m cash prize in the event sponsored by Zara Tanzania Adventures and Tigo Tanzania.  “I am very happy to win this race. It was tough, I thank God that I managed to beat a stiff challenge from other runners,” a visibly elated Marwa said.In the women’s discipline, Jackline Sakilu won the race after finishing in 1:16.26. She took home Sh1,000,000. Sakilu, who finished second in the recent women’s 15km race in Brazil, said she was pleased to emerge the winner of the closely contested race.A number of star athletes, including Zakia Mrisho and Luiza John, battled it out for top honours at the event dubbed the race against malaria, one of the leading causes of death in the country.Marwa, a member of Kilimanjaro’s Holili Club, was followed by Stephane Huche of Arusha’s ASTC Club who finished in 1:04.56. Alphonce Felix, also from Arusha, finished third in 1:05.56. Zakia, one of the pre-race favourites, clocked 1:17.47 to finish second in the women’s half marathon, while Mary Naali of African Ambassador Athletics Club finished fourth in 1:18.17.Faustine Mussa, Peter Sulle, Damian Chopa, Andrew Sambu, Catherine Range and Banuelia Brighton, who are among the best country’s best athletes, were no impressive in yesterday’s race.