After a 2-years-break due to covid-19 pandemic, Mulanje mountain porters race is back and both locally and internationally male and female runners have expressed interest.
According to Kondwani Chamwala, Mulanje mountain conservation trust spokesperson who is also Environmental Education Specialist said this year’s race will be held on 9 July where runners are expected to cover a distance of approximately 25km up and across the mount Mulanje biosphere reserve.
“The Porters race is scheduled per tradition on second Saturday of the month of July which this year is falling on the 9 and the race is open to everyone who is fit enough to participate in running from Likhubula Forest Office where they will trek to Chambe plateau about 2500m above sea level and proceed to Lichenya plateau then finally back to Likhubula,” he explained.
He added that the runners will cover a tiring distance of 25 km in 2hours in which at a walking pace would take 10 hours and some competitors prefers to run on a barefoot.
Over the years porter’s race was limited to Porters and Guides of the Mulanje mountain but later become an event which attracts hundreds of participates across Africa, Asia, America and Europe.
