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REBRANDING OF THE RACE FROM
BLANTYRE MARATHON TO BLANTYRE
42.195 KM RACE
The Blantyre 42.195 KM race
In the run-up to the 2021 race, an After the 2021 race, MNCS engaged the other party to discuss
interested party (name withheld) how best the issue of the name can be handled but, after a
wrote MNCS, claiming that they number of meetings, there was no sign of progress. As a
have ownership of the name Blan- result, MNCS involved its lawyers to handle the matter.
tyre Marathon as they had regis-
tered the name with the O ce of The race is usually planned for June as the weather in the
the Registrar in 2019, hence MNCS Southern Region during that time of the year is favorable for
does not have the right to be using long distance runners. For the time being, MNCS lawyers have
the name Blantyre Marathon. advised the Council that, at the pace of the discussions with
the other party, it will take a long time, between a year or two,
Since the letter arrived at MNCS for the race to take place. After analyzing the advice given by
two days before the 2021 event, the lawyers, MNCS left it in the hands of the Main Organizing
and all preparations were at an Committee to come up with a decision.
advanced stage, management of
MNCS had to negotiate with the After thorough discussions, members of the Main Organizing
other party to still use the name Committee, felt that delays to organise the race are a ecting
Blantyre Marathon for the 2021 the sport of athletics, especially those athletes involved in
event and that, after the event, the long-distance running. As a result, the Main Organizing Com-
two parties had to sit on a round mittee decided to change the name of the race. Three names
table and discuss issues pertaining to were proposed: The Kabula Marathon; the Changing Lives
the way forward. The other party Blantyre Marathon, and; the Blantyre 42.195 KM Race. After
agreed to MNCS’s request and the debate, members decided to go for the Blantyre 42.195 KM
2021 Blantyre Marathon was Race name. The proposed name was sent to the past MNCS
conducted as planned. Board and the Board, led by its past immediate Chairperson
Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, approved the name.
ISSUE NO: 1 MNCS NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER 5
