Originally, the Porters Race was a competition limited to mountain porters and guides but later it became an annual event attracting other participants such as local and national athletes. Over the years it has become a big event and attracts hundreds of participants.

Saturday 11th July 2009 is fast approaching.Will Francis Khanje maintain the championship in the male category? How about Tereza Master – ready to prove she is the conqueror among the ladies? Last year a total of 272 runners participated in the race and the number is most likely to increase this year as the race becomes popular by the year. Expected participants, apart from Malawians are those from South Africa, Japan, Mozambique, United States of America and most countries in the Europe. 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!

Actually Khanje did it in 2 hours 11 minutes, two minutes ahead of the closest conternder Mike Tebulo from Zomba while Master covered the distance in 2 hours 39 minutes, thirteen minutes ahead of her second Nancy Matanda. And others do it bare foot. The Race, which goes into its thirteenth 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. Preparations have now reached an advanced stage. About 300 runners from all corners of the world are expected to participate in this year’s race and thousands, including yourself yes, are expected to witness this wonderful event. Its not an event to miss. 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. The event will be covered by both the local and international media.
It therefore pays to be associated with Mount Mulanje more especially with this Race. And the race takes place in one of the most beautiful sights of Malawi.

The impressive Mount Mulanje with its highest peak Sapitwa standing at over 3000 metres above sea level, is the highest mountain in the tropical southern Africa. The unique ecology of this isolated inselberg has been recognized by its proclamation as one of few international Biosphere Reserves south of the equator.
Mulanje Mountain is more than barren rock. Its unique reserve covering an area of 640, 000 hectares within Mulanje and Phalombe Districts, has a diverse range of ecological zones from rainforest to alpine, with a very rich range of habitat endemic plant and animal life. The famous Mulanje Cedar, which is Malawi’s national tree,
dominates the high altitude forests.a Evergreen woodland and forest is largely restricted to ravines and watercourses. The most notable forest tree on Mulanje is the endemic Mulanje cedar (Widdringtonia whytei), a magnificent timber tree which can reach a height of over 40m. Mulanje’s cedars have been depleted in the last century due to timber felling, but several impressive stands remain, the most accessible of which lies in the saddle southeast of the Chambe Basin and includes many trees that are thought to be over 300 years old. With easy access from Blantyre, well-organised and inexpensive facilities, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the country, Mulanje is Malawi’s premier hiking and rock-climbing destination, popular with tourists and expatriates alike. The porters race will bring you to Mulanje, yes you will participate but you need to register now. The registration fees are as follows:

Porters: Mk100, Non-Porters: Mk200, Wome: Mk50,
Non Malawians: US$10

For more information please contact Hastings
Maloya on 0888 864 241 or 0999 950 953