All is set. The 2010 Mount Mulanje Porters Race - Malawi’s only extreme sport – a 25 kilometre race in the rocks of Mount Mulanje!

On your marks, Get set and.... Go!

Introduction

Are you strong and fit enough to run up and down and across rocks and stones? Or do you know of a friend who loves mountain hiking? Send the message and lets wait to see who can conquer - Mount Mulanje - Malawi’s Island in the Sky!

Description

The shortest distance to a resting place on top of Mount Mulanje, which is Chambe Plateau, takes a good hiker about three hours. That good hiker with good sports shoes, would need another three hours to walk along the plateau from Chambe to Lichenya and more than an extra four hours to descend from Lichenya back from the starting point, Likhubula. In total it requires a total of 13 hours for a real mountain climber to cover such a trek of about 25 kilometres.  The route is rocky and hazardous and the paths are small.

But guess what, through the Mount Mulanje Porters’ Race, runners cover such a tiring distance in less than three hours! And others doing it bare foot.

The annual Mount Mulanje Porters Race has attracted the attention of runners both male and female from all over the world that athletically compete up and across the lovely plateaus of Mount Mulanje.  

The Race, which goes into its fourteenth year this year started as a small event among interested individuals willing to do a running competition up the mountain.  Over the years it has became an open event attracting hundreds of participants both male and female, above 16 years old and is being facilitated by the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) in collaboration with the Mulanje Porters and Guides Association.

 Companies and organizations are now being called upon to come forward and make commitments and pledges for sponsorship. The sponsors would be free to make their own presentation of prizes on the day.

 Both the local and international media will cover the event. It therefore pays to be associated with Mount Mulanje more especially with this Race.

 Who participates. The race is open to all interested male and female athletes who are fit enough to participate.  Men and women will be judged separately thereby having winners in two categories.  

Procedure.Interested participants shall start registering using the provided means.  It is expected that the runners, will arrive in Mulanje a day or two before the race to acclimatise.  Those that will travel from other districts shall be accommodated at their own cost.

Venue.The race will take place at Likhubula Forestry Offices in Mulanje and will be a day-long exercise. The race would start at 06hrs and would be expected to finish with prize presentation ceremony at 14:00hrs.

Dates.Saturday July 10, 2010.

Registration:

Yes you need to register in order to participate. Registration closes on 10th July, 2010.

The registration fees are as follows:

Porters             Mk100
Non-Porters      Mk200
Women            Mk50
Non Malawians US$5


Why not try it?


Register now through InfoMulanje, P.O. Box 200 Mulanje MALAWI.
Tel: +265 1 466466/506 or send an e-mail to race@mountmulanje.org.mw
.