Malinga braces for ‘Greatest race’

Oct 05, 2004

ALEX Malinga has embarked on intensive high altitude training in Kapchorwa ahead of the Standard Chartered Bank-sponsored ‘Greatest race on Earth’ marathon that starts October 24

By Joseph Opio
and Norman Katende

ALEX Malinga has embarked on intensive high altitude training in Kapchorwa ahead of the Standard Chartered Bank-sponsored ‘Greatest race on Earth’ marathon that starts October 24.

The national record holder was chosen by Uganda Athletics Association (UAF) as the official representative on the four-man East African relay team that will participate in the lucrative four-legged marathon.

UAF official Namayo Mawerere said a coach will soon be picked to join Malinga, who started training last week.
“He’s already training in Kapchorwa but is yet to get a coach. We’re taking this marathon seriously because it promises many benefits,” Mawerere said.

Malinga, fresh from winning the Mombasa and Kigali marathons, is expected to use the event as a qualifier for the World Marathon in Helsinki, Finland next August.
The regional team stands to earn $1m (sh1.7b) if they triumph in the inaugural event. The 30-year old Malinga is scheduled to feature in the January leg of the marathon that will traverse four countries and two continents and will climax in Hong Kong on February 27 next year.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s bronze medallists at the IAAF world Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday have promised better performances at upcoming international events.

Team captain Wilson Busienei, Uganda’s best performing athlete at seventh position, said: “We were helping each other and I am sure we will run like that in other races.”

Busienei’s time of 1.2:55 was six seconds short of Godfrey Nyombi’s (1.02:49) national record set in in June 2002 in USA.
The team (above) came back yesterday.

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