Malawi has broken Kenya’s dominance in the 21 kilometre Standard Bank Be More Race after winning the top three positions in the men’s category.

Chikondi Mwanyali won the trace in 1:05:45, Mphatso Nadolo was second in 1:05:52 and Chancy Master third in 1:06:06.

In the women’s category, Kenyans Monica Cheruto and Naomi Jepkori finished first and second positions, respectively while Malawi’s Nalicy Chirwa finished third.

In an interview, Mwanyali, who won the Mzuzu City Half Marathon, attributed his win to hard work and passion.

He said: “It’s a great day for me and Malawi athletes. We have done it. Competition was tough. For one to succeed in a marathon you need to be disciplined, work hard and have a good diet. The achievement today will help inspire me to achieve more.”

The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has since praised Standard Bank of Malawi for putting the Be More Race on the map.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, RBM Deputy Governor William Matambo, who was the guest of honour, congratulated Standard Bank for the successful race.

He said: “As a financial regulator, we are very excited that one of our financial institutions is going all the way to sponsor a big race like this. To Standard Bank, like Chinua Achebe wrote in Things Fall Apart, you have brought us together to do exercises not that individually we don’t exercise, but because it is good to do so. The Be More Race has become one of the most anticipated and looked to marathon every year.”

Standard Bank chief executive officer Philip Madinga described the attendance as a record.

“This is a record registration since its inception. We had athletes from Japan, Botswana, Kenya and hosts Malawi. We are growing with each edition and this marathon has become an international event,” he said.

Madinga said the registration fees will go towards purchasing teaching materials for schools in Mulanje District.

Athletics Association of Malawi general secretary Frank Chitembeya has described the development as a great feat.

“We have been playing second fiddle to the Kenyans in this marathon for many years. To have broken this dominance is a great feat. I am proud of what we have managed to achieve,” he said.

Champions received K1.6 million, second-placed K1.1 million while third-positioned got K550 000.

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