THE Absa Dar City Marathon 2024 took place in Dar es Salaam yesterday amidst calm weather conditions after the threat of Cyclone Hidaya lost its strength, according to reports from relevant authorities, allowing runners to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tanzania's famous city.

In its fourth edition under the main sponsorship of Absa Bank Tanzania, the competition saw over 3,000 athletes racing through the streets of the City Center in an event aimed not only at supporting the provision of medical supplies for the Maternity Ward at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital but also at showcasing the tourism attractions available in the heart of Dar es Salaam.
 
Speaking after the race, Absa Tanzania's Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Aron Luhanga, stated that due to the success of the marathon, their bank will continue its long-term commitment to sponsoring the event.
 
"As part of our brand promise, 'Your Story Matters', Absa Bank will continue to value the stories of Tanzanians, as a portion of the proceeds from this marathon will go towards benefiting the community by facilitating the availability of medical supplies for women and children.
 
"We believe that everyone can script their story through exercise, and running is one of those exercises. We also believe that true wealth lies in health, and running promotes good health. Therefore, with a healthy population, our society and country will make significant strides in development. Absa is committed to ensuring that these stories are written effectively," said Luhanga.
 
Regarding their banking services, Luhanga stated that their bank offers a range of high-quality products and services, including children's accounts, home loans, car loans, and a unique credit card service that enables customers to receive a pre-loaded card upon application.
 
On his part, Godfrey Mindu, Chairman of The Runners Club, and the organizers of the Absa Dar City Marathon, thanked Absa Bank and other sponsors, noting that their involvement will bring significant changes to the lives of Tanzanians.
 
The Dar City Marathon 2024 featured races of 5km, 10km, and 21km. In the 10km race for women, the first prize went to Anastasia Dolomongo from Arusha with a time of 34:04:31 while in the men's category, Emanuel Shahanga from Hanang emerged as the winner with a time of 29:00:03.
 
In the half marathon (21km) for women, the first place was secured by Sara Ramadhani from Arusha with a time of 1:13:21:08, while in the men's category, Dickson Paul from Mwanza emerged victorious with a time of 1:02:58:04.
 
Apart from Absa Bank as the main sponsor, other sponsors included Alliance Life Assurance Company, Hill Water, Kilimanjaro Milk, and Garda Security Company.