Athletes to participate in Pugu Marathon in May

04Mar 2023
Correspondent
Dar es Salaam
Sport
The Guardian
Athletes to participate in Pugu Marathon in May

THIS year's Pugu Marathon, a charity race organized by the Catholic Church, is expected to take place in Coast Region on May 27.

Archbishop of the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi, speaks to journalists in the city yesterday on a charity race, termed Pugu Marathon, which is set to take place in Coast Region on May 27. PHOTO: CORRESPONDENT IMANI NATHANIEL

The race, slated to take place from Hija Pugu to Kisarawe, will involve athletes battling it out in 21km, 10km, and 5km races, and the 2km walking.

Speaking to the press at St. Joseph Church in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Archbishop of the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi, said preparations for the race, which will be taking place in the last week of May every year, are already on top gear.

He said the race seeks to raise funds for the development of the Pugu Pilgrimage Center and help needy patients in various hospitals.

According to him, the renovation of the house where the Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, once stayed, will moreover be covered by the funds.

"We have organized the Pugu Marathon charity race, which will be held every year, to raise funds to develop the Pugu Pilgrimage Center, and provide aid to patients in various hospitals," Ruwa'ichi disclosed.

"We also seek to repair the house where the Father of the Nation once lived, maintain health, and build a culture of participation in sports," the Archbishop noted.

He asked various athletes to come forward to participate in the race which will be held for the first time this year, adding the showdown will thereafter become an annual feature.

The Secretary of the Race Committee, Marceline Nkwere, said they are asking various stakeholders and companies to come forward to sponsor the event to ensure the hosts reach the goals they have set.

The official said they believe the race will be more competitive due to the preparations they are making.

Marceline said winners of the race are expected to receive various prizes, which will be announced later, along with medals.

"The preparations are going well and we are asking various stakeholders to come forward to provide us with sponsorship to ensure we reach the goals we have set," Marceline said.

The official added that the registration will be done online, in which the participants of the 21km and 10km events will pay 30, 000/- each.

The 5km and 2km races' competitors, Marceline noted, will pay 20,000/- each for the entrance fee.

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