By Yasinta Lukezo
More than 1000 athletes will be racing along with wildlife in the forthcoming Lake Manyara Half Marathon which gets flagged off on November 30, 2024.
This time the 2024 instalment of Lake Manyara Marathon comes with some few changes, for instance the main category of 21 kilometers race will be strictly for male athletes only.
Women will just race in the 10 kilometers race which is also meant for only female runners.
The usual 5 kilometers fun run remains and events are all taking place at Mto-wa-Mbu area, in Monduli District adjacent to both Lake Manyara and its corresponding National Park.
The race is to be preceded with a special Gala dinner on 29th of November, bringing together stakeholders from the tourism industry, sporting associations, hoteliers and government officials.
After the race, there will be a special excursion tour of Lake Manyara on the first day of December 2024.
The Marathon will be flagged off from the Lake Manyara National Park entry gate and climaxes at the Barafu grounds of Mto-wa-Mbu.
“The race, which covers mostly cultural and attractive sites, will double as an active tourism event, cultural sampling fair and talent identifying platform,” said Maureen Morris, the Chief Executive Officer of GreenLeaf Mohar.
GreenLeaf Mohar is the firm behind the organization of the Lake Manyara Marathon.
Maureen who coordinates the Marathon said there is a need to highly promote Lake Manyara National Park and the cultural tourism offerings at Mto-wa-Mbu where local residents have always been playing the role of tour and safari guides to foreign visitors.
“Mto wa-Mbu is also a spectacular tourist destination in its own right, starting from being located next to Lake Manyara National as well featuring cultural offerings such as traditional food, cultural ornaments, banana plantations and paddy farms,” she added.
Mto-wa-Mbu happens to be a cultural melting point for both locals and foreigners.
The small but very active township is perched below the Great Rift Valley wall and serves as gateway to Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.