2.2 OPERATIONAL COMMITTEES.

There are nine operational sub-committees of the executive Committee formed for the smooth running of the operations during and after the race. These sub committees’ are-

2.1 Finance Committee

2.2 Technical Committee

2.3 Medical Committee

2.4 Trans port and accommodation Committee

2.5 Advertisement and Publicity Committee

2.6 Security Committee

2.7 Secretarial and Co-ordination Committee

2.8 Prize and Organizational Committee/stadium

2.9 Feeding Stations Committee.

2.3 THE HISTORY OF MOUNT MERU INTERNATIONAL MARATHON - ARUSHA - TANZANIA.

Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) came into being in 1985 as a result of the joint pilot sports programme between the National Sports Council (Tanzania) as a recipient and the Swedish Sports Confederation (Sweden).

The protocol was known as SPORTS FOR ALL PROGRAMME geared to involve the public as a whole in sports.

Arusha Region had potential young athletes and at that time prominent long distance runners like Capt. Filbert Bayi, and Lt. Col. Juma Ikangaa who had already featured in International meets. Others like Gidamas Shahanga and late John Bura had also featured in International races and made Tanzania known in the World of Sports. Arusha region is famous for distance runners and many have participated in international races.

In view of the above the Arusha Regional authorities together with sports for all programme officials decided to form a club that could cater for the young athletes in the region and later for the whole country. This resulted to formation of Mt. Meru International Marathon.

On 17^th March 1985 the first race took off with only 86 participants and all were from Arusha Region. In 1986 the club took a new leap. It was registered as a member of the International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS). For AIMS it was a breakthrough for the first time to have AIMS member from Africa. Participants in the 1986 race came from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sweden and host Tanzania. The marathon started becoming International. Participants rose from 86 to 146. In 1987 International participation went up to 199 and steadily rose to 450 in 1989 and the highest participation had been 560 in 1993. Since then marathoners from World over have been participating in the race. The runners come from U.S.A., Japan, Germany and Canada.

The race is held on first Sunday of August every year. The average temperature at this time is 20° centigrade; the humidity is about 60% percent and the winds are negligible.

Mr. Hugh John who is an international measurer has recertified the course in August 2000 according to AIMS and International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) standards.

2.3.1 STRENGTHS

There is potential capability of developing this race further depending on the resources.

The region is full of tourist’s attraction that can be fully explored. These can attract more foreign runners.

Arusha can be used as a centre for developing youth runners from Africa.
The president and board members of AIMS unanimously supported this idea during the last board meeting (August 2000).

2.3.2 WEAKNESSES

The main problem facing the race is lack of sponsor.

Lack of sponsor has resulted to short of attractive cash prizes and hence less participants.

2.4 COURSE (FULL MARATHON)

Mount Meru International Marathon starting point is at the Centre of Africa - The Arusha Clock Tower is at a point that is known to be the centre between CAPE TOWN AND CAIRO. It is therefore of interest for the foreign runners to touch such an important point of Africa.

The course takes the participants through the villages, coffee plantations and the Arusha Municipality streets. The difference in altitude between the highest and the lowest point of the course is 35 metres.

Participants enjoy the hospitality of the Arusha people who line up along the course and cheer for them.

There is also an intensive coverage by both local and foreign media. There is also an intention of making a live coverage of the event in future.

TIME PERFOMANCE (SINCE) 1986

YEAR COUNTRY TIME

1986

MEN

Japhet Mashishanga Tanzania 2.21.01

Boay Gurgo Tanzania 2.24.18

S. Mbiaji Tanzania 2.26.28

WOMEN

Leokadia Katona Tanzania 4.03.30

Blanka James Tanzania 4.05.00

Catherine Jahniese Tanzania 4.21.06

1987

MEN

Nagash Dube Ethiopia 2.20.45

Barnabas Qamunga Tanzania 2.24.04

Late Simon Robert Tanzania 2.24.58

WOMEN

Suzana Mkuki Tanzania 3.10.38

Lucy T. Gatte Tanzania 3.24.31

Daji Baha Tanzania 3.24.31

1988

MEN

Late John Bura Tanzania 2.09.30

Thadese Beleyanh Ethiopia 2.12.23

Nada Saktay Tanzania 2.13.18

WOMEN

Suzana Mkuki Tanzania 3.15.32

Banka James Tanzania 3.20.06

Tumaini Urio Tanzania 4.01.28

1989

MEN

Late Simon Robert Tanzania 2.14.40

Nada Saktay Tanzania 2.15.10

John Makanya Tanzania 2.17.10

WOMEN

Blanka James Tanzania 3.23.05

Tumaini Urio Tanzania 3.23.38

Leokadia Katona Tanzania 3.33.38

1990

MEN

Late John Bura Tanzania 2.19.22

Boay Gurgo Tanzania 2.22.11

Samwel Mbiaji Tanzania 2.22.41

WOMEN

Blanka James Tanzania 3.25.05

Leokadia Katona Tanzania 3.34.38

Marietha Stephen Tanzania 3.40.39

1991

MEN

Simon Qamunga Tanzania 2.18.45

Pasian Yahi Tanzania 2.19.38

Sabibian Deemay Tanzania 2.20.56

1992

MEN

Julius Mtibani Tanzania 2.15.42

Simon Qamunga Tanzania 2.15.50

Maganga Gurgo Tanzania 2.15.56

WOMEN

Leokadia Katona Tanzania 2.59.00

Cesilia Safari Tanzania 3.10.31

Caroline Darabe Tanzania 3.11.48

1993

MEN

Benedict Ako Tanzania 2.13.46

Maganga Gurgo Tanzania 2.16.15

Toloea Garba Ethiopia 2.16.40

WOMEN

Blanka James Tanzania 2.46.59

Dafi Baha Tanzania 3.05.02

Marietta Stephano Tanzania 3.08.42

1994

MEN

Benedict Ako Tanzania 2.17.40

Andrea Mao Tanzania 2.19.37

Zebedayo Bayo Tanzania 2.20.24

WOMEN

Blanka James Tanzania 2.39.15

Winfrida Mbiaji Tanzania 2.42.10

Cecilia Safari Tanzania 2.48.17

1995

MEN

Motori Choloo Tanzania 2.16.50

Gemay Suja Tanzania 2.16.57

Emmanuel Siayi Tanzania 2.17.26

WOMEN

Leokadia James Tanzania 2.59.25

Caroline Darabe Tanzania 3.02.17

Sarah Kavina Tanzania 3.04.53

1996

MEN

Motori Choloo Tanzania 2.15.54

Thomas Robert Tanzania 2.16.44

Andrew Sambu Tanzania 2.17.58

WOMEN

Banulia Mrashani Tanzania 2.49.55

Magdalena Joseph Tanzania 2.53.52

Blanka James Tanzania 2.54.57

1997

MEN

Onesmo Ludago Tanzania 2.15.20

Andrea Nade Tanzania 2.15.23

Geway Suja Tanzania 2.16.00

WOMEN

Maimuna Margwe Tanzania 2.49.49

Sarah Kavina Tanzania 3.01.53

Blanka James Tanzania 3.04.22

1998

MEN

John Bura Dodo Tanzania 2.23.14

Rajabu Mohamed Tanzania 2.25.44

Jeremia Gurti Tanzania 2.27.21

WOMEN

Anne Dethtefsen Germany 3.57.46

Christel Valdes Germany 4.26.27

Barnaba Sturdy U.S.A. 5.22.15

1999 (Half Marathon)

MEN

Faustin Baha Tanzania 1.03.44

Francis Nade Tanzania 1.04.03

John Nada Tanzania 1.04.17

WOMEN

Restituta Joseph Tanzania 1.15.00

Regina Daudi Tanzania 1.16.42

Blanka James Tanzania 1. 16.54

2000(Full Marathon)

MEN

John Nada Saya Tanzania 2.17.03

Benedict Ako Tanzania 2.18.04

Christopher Isegwe Tanzania 2.19.40

WOMEN

Fanuela Mrashani Tanzania 3.40.00

Blanka James Tanzania 3.42.12

Magdalena Joseph Tanzania 3.44.20

2001(Full Marathon)

Mount Meru Marathon was held on Sunday 5th August 2001 and was attended by 127 participants out of which 112 were Men and 15 Women. The results for the first ten winners in each group are as follows:

MEN

 1.Joseph Rily                 2.14.18                     Kenya
 2.Samson Ramadhani            2.14.45                     Tanzania
 3.Getuli Bayo                 2.17.44                     Tanzania
 4.Francis Naali               2.18.34                     Tanzania
 5.Englobet Naali              2.20.28                     Tanzania
 6.Thomas Emanuel              2.20.36                     Tanzania
 7.Wilbrod Gidaka              2.24.57                     Tanzania
 8.Wiliam Akonay               2.24.59                     Tanzania
 9.Gabriel Qadue               2.25.39                     Tanzania
10.Motori Choloo               2.26.00                     Tanzania

WOMEN

 1.Rukia Mkanda                 2.43.30                     Tanzania
 2.Fabiola Wiliam               2.49.25                     Tanzania
 3.Sara Mwandiya                2.51.56                     Tanzania
 4.Sara Kavina                  2.54.22                     Tanzania
 5.Maimuna Margwe               3.04.14                     Tanzania
 6.Yostar Micheal               3.05.55                     Tanzania
 7.Tea Anton                    3.06.23                     Tanzania
 8.Marther Salum                3.14.55                     Tanzania
 9.Magdalena Joseph             3.20.00                     Tanzania
10.Mwanaisha Abdallah           3.30.39                     Tanzania

2002(Full Marathon)

Mount Meru Marathon was held on Sunday 4th August 2002 and was attended by 114 participants out of which 109 were Men and 5 Women. The results for the first ten winners in each group are as follows:

MEN

 1.        BENEDICT AKO         2:27:50              TANZANIA
 2.        PETRO QADWE          2:28:17                 "
 3.        THOMAS MIGWI         2:28:36              KENYA
 4.        FOCUS WILBROAD       2:29:14              TANZANIA
 5.        MULTO J. BURA        2:30:21              TANZANIA
 6.        PETER MWANGI         2:30:47              KENYA
 7.        WILBROAD GIDAGA      2:30:56              TANZANIA
 8.        BENSON LYIM          2:31:16              KENYA
 9.        GABRIEL QADUWE       2:35:58              TANZANIA
10.        THOMAS EMANUEL       2:36:05              TANZANIAnzania

WOMEN

1.        RUKIA MKANDA         2.59.39             TANZANIA
2.        MAGDALENA JOSEPH     3.27.57             TANZANIA
3.        MARY WENCK           4.06.39             USA
4.        MONICA SAMILA        4.06.43             TANZANIA
5.        JANE CHIKARAISHI     5.10.39             JAPAN

2003(Full Marathon)

The race attracted a total of 220 runners of which 155 were men and 65 women. The whether was partly cloudy but the sun broke through and the temperature rose from 13C TO 23c during the race. Before the marathon race was children race which attracted 500 participants. AIMS Board Member Mr. Carlos Moya and an Official Representative from Dubai Marathon Mr. Samuel Tupa attended the events. Dubai Marathon sent good Will message and express desire to establish sister relationship between our two races. Dubai Marathon have also promised to sponsor Juniors' race in 2004.
The main Sponsor of the race in 2003 was Celtel Tanzani Ltd. who spent a total of US $5000 in cash and prices which were offered to the winners. Dubai Marathon sent us about 200 T-shirt and an invitation to the first winner of the race in 2003 to attend Dubai Marathon to be held on 9.1.2004 in Dubai and all expense will be met by Dubai Marathon. This was a very big boost to our race and we are very grateful.
:

MEN

1.  David Kwino        Kenya        2.15.50
2.  John  Murto        Tanzania     2.16.05
3.  Safari  Inai       Tanzania     2.19.52
4.  Salutari William   Tanzania     2.19.54
5.  Thomas Magwe       Kenya        2.19.58
6.  Hamis Mori         Tanzania     2.20.56
7.  Elikana Mashuka    Tnazania     2.21.59
8.  Wilbroad Gidaga    Tnazania     2.22.40
9.  Faustine Saktay    Tanzania     2.24.19
10. Amos Mwita         Tanzania     2.25.20

WOMEN

1.  Fabiola William    Tnazania     2.40.10
2.  Margreth  Karie    Kenya        2.44.50
3.  Margareth Irro     Tnazania     2.54.40
4.  Karen Arepa        Kenya        2.57.20
5.  Monica Samira      Tanzania     2.58.37
6.  Fatuma Iddi        Tanzania     3.00.11
7.  Thea Anton         Tanzania     3.19.28
8.  Paulina Isack      Tanzania     3.54.35

2004(Full Marathon)

The above race was held on Sunday 1st.August, 2004 in Arusha Tanzania. The race was attended by a total of 152 runners from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. The climate when the race started was 13 degrees centigrade and at the time of finish the temperature increased to 15.2 degrees centigrade. The race was attended by the Dubai Race Director, Mr. Ahamed Al Kamali.

The result of the full Marathon race was as follows:

Men

Position.        Name               Country         Time

1.               Benson Mbithi      Kenya           2.16.21
2.               Eric  Nzioki       Kenya           2.16.39
3.               John  Cherotich    Kenya           2.17.16
4.               John  Murto        Tanzania        2.18.00
5.               William Shahanga   Tanzania        2.18.19
6.               Mikah Kiprotich    Kenya           2.20.20
7.               Balas John         Tanzania        2.20.41
8.               Thomas Emanuel     Tanzania        2.21.16
9.               Safari Ingi        Tanzania        2.21.46
10.              Mohamed Issa       Tanzania        2.21.48


Women

1.               Monica Samila        Tanzania      2.50.32
2.               Zeddy Chepkoech      Kenya         2.58.24
3.               Margareth Kiplagat   Kenya         3.03.27
4.               Magdalena Joseph     Tanzania      3.06.35
5.               Sarah Kavina         Tanzania      3.14.30
6.               Margareth Irho       Tanzania      3.14.37

2004(Half Marathon)

We also organized half marathon race which attracted a total of 142 runners from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and the result of the half marathon race was as follows:

Men

Position         Name                Country        Time
1.               Samuel Karaja       Kenya          1.08.59
2.               Naftali  Daho       Tanzania       1.09.36
3.               Dominc Saru         Tanzania       1.09.55
4.               Harun Seleman       Tanzania       1.09.57
5.               Getuli Bayo         Tanzania       1.10.05
6.               Joshua Laurent      Tanzania       1.10.45
7.               Paulo Gaidho        Kenya          1.50.58
8.               Nicholas Kibeti     Kenya          1.11.01
9.               Benedict Ako        Tanzania       1.11.11
10.              Isaya Deengw        Tanzania       1.11.28


Women

1.               Zeitun Jumanne       Tanzania      1.20.46
2.               Neemay Demay         Tanzania      1.20.58
3.               Farida Makula        Tanzania      1.22.32
4.               Magdalena Siombua    Kenya         1.24.17
5.               Oliver Moguma        Kenya         1.24.25
6.               Jackline Sakilo      Tanzania      1.24.39
7.               Nathalia Elisante    Tanzania      1.24.44
8.               Sarah Ramadhani      Tanzania      1.24.57
9.               Phelomena Daniel     Tanzania      1.25.08
10.              Halima Ramadhani     Tanzania      1.25.09

Before the main race and half marathon there was youth race attended by 520 youths from 28 Primary Schools around Arusha Region. The youths were divided according to three age groups of 9 yrs to 11 yrs, 12 yrs to 14 yrs and 15 yrs to 17 yrs. Youth race response next year will be higher than this year from the publicity we have already made.

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2.9 NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The event is nationally recognized as shown by the attendance of national guests of honours.

The following were the guest of honours in the event since 1986:

GUESTS 0F HONOURS (1985-PRESENT)

Hon John Samwel Malecela (Member of Parliament)	n Patron of Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) n Former Prime Minister and the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania
Alhaji - Ahmed A. Shariff	n Chairman of Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) n Board member of the International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS) n Former Director of Finance and Administration, Bank of Tanzania n Tels.255-22-2647053 n Mobile: 0744267439. Fax 255-22-2860386 n e-mail ahmedsharriff@hotmail.com
Kassim Mamboleo	n Vice Chairman of Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) n Former Regional Cultural/Sports Officer n Regional Protocol Officer n Tel. 255-27-2502394: Fax 255-27-250-2271 n Mobile 0744-275456 n e-mail kassimmamboleo@yahoo.com
Mr. Muneja Sayi	n Secretary General of the Mount Meru International Marathon n Former Secretary General of the Tanzania Amateur Athletics Association (TAA) n Instructor - Sports Centre - Arusha
Mr. Deepak Hans	n Treasurer of the Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) n Prominent Businessman
Mr. Omar Sulle	n Assistant Secretary General of the Mount Meru International Marathon (MMIM) n Municipal Cultural/Sports Officer
Mr. Charles Matoke	n Executive Committee Member n Principal - Zonal Sports Centre Arusha
Mr. A. Rutazaa	n Executive Committee Member n Headmaster - Longido Secondary School
Mrs.Mercy Rwezaula	n Executive Committee Member n Instructor - Zonal Sports Centre
Mr. Ahmed Mkindi	n Executive Committee member n Businessman

1986	Hon Fatma Said Ali (MP)	Minister for Community Development Culture, Youth and Sports
1987	Hon Salim Ahmed Salim (MP)	Minister of Defence and National Service
1988	Hon. Dr. Omar Ali Juma	Chief Minister Zanzibar Government
1989	Hon C. Kisanji (MP)	Minister for Labour, Community Development, Culture & Social Welfare
1990	Hon Joseph Rwegasira	Minister for Labour Culture and Social Welfare.
1991	Hon Dr. Salimin Amour	2^nd Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania and President of Zanzibar
1992	Hon. John Samwel Malecela (MP)	Prime Minister and 1^st Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
1993	Hon, Juma Hamed Omar	Minister for Natural Resources Tourism and Environment
1994	HE Alhaji Ali Hassan Mwinyi	President of the United Republic of Tanzania
1995	Hon. Ahmed Kiwanuka	Regional Commissioner for Arusha
1996	Hon. Ahmed Kiwanuka	Regional Commissioner for Arusha
1997	Mr. Aggrey Mwandri	District Commissioner - Arusha
1998	His Lordship Mayor Phillip Kivuyo	Mayor Arusha Municipality
1999	Hon Daniel Ole Njoolay	Regional Commissioner for Arusha
2000	Hon Hiroaki Chasa.	President of International Marathon and Road Races (AIMS)

Mr. Muneja Sayi

Mr. Hugh John who is an international measurer has recertified the course in August 2000 according to AIMS and International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) standards.

TIME PERFOMANCE (SINCE) 1986

MEN

1993

1994

1995

1996

Anne Dethtefsen Germany 3.57.46