The disabled racing is to be conducted in two ways; those who will race proppelling wheel chairs and others that are to ride three-wheeled hand cycles. Twenty participants, all males have already enrolled under this category.
The Marathon is also set to take place on the same day with the 2010 annual Nane-Nane motor racing, organized by the Arusha Motor Sports Association. The rally is likely to use the same route as the 21 kilometres category of Safari International Marathon, however organizers assure that the speeding cars will make scene in the afternoon long after the race has finished.
Event organizer Victor Mollel revealed here that the marathon sporting event on its maiden run has also attracted participants from Kenya and Ethiopia as well as some overseas foreigners who will be here at that time not specifically for the race but as tourists who will run in the 5-kilometre family race just for fun.
The Safari International Marathon which replaces the defunct Mount Meru International Marathon debuts this year with three categories, the top prized half-marathon at 21 kilometres, the Wheel-Chair race and the family (fun) race at 5 kilometres.
The to-be annual event will add the 42 kilometres long race in the 2011 race whose preparations are already underway. Among the objectives of the race is to promote young aspiring athletes who according to Mollel are willing to make it in profession athletics but lacked propelling force.
The event is also aimed at creating another 'tourism' attraction for the northern zone during this time of August when the usual wildlife viewing and game-driving adventures will be ending.
The prized events happen to be the 21 kilometres 'Half-Marathon' for men and women with each winner in both categories cashing 1m/-, second runners-up getting 600,000/- each, third winners 300,000/-, while the 4th and 5th winners stand to get 100,000/-.
There will also be wheel- chair racing for both men and women with physical disabilities and the first winners from both gender are to get 400,000/-, second winners 300,000/-, third 200,000/- and those in the fourth place are to get 100,000/- each. The Safari Marathon, backed by Ujumbe Ink, a tourism promoting outfit, will also include a 5-kilometre 'Family run', a fun event for people who want to participate without sweating too much.
The Half-Marathons start at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, covering Makongoro, Sokoine, Dodoma, Selian, Nairobi roads and Wachagga plus Swahili streets before returning to the town stadium for overall finish.
The 'Family race' will be flagged off from Mwenge Roundabout Junction, along Makongoro road, Clock Tower, NCAA junction, AICC, Sanawari, Mianzini then down Col.Middleton road and climax at the Stadium. Sponsors include Tanzania Breweries Limited, through its Kilimanjaro beer brand and Vodacom Tanzania.
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