IN a move that promises to make the upcoming Dodoma Marathon more accessible, organisers have teamed up with the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to offer high-speed train transportation for participants.

Through a strategic agreement, over 1,000 runners from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro will have the opportunity to experience the comfort and convenience of Tanzania's modern high-speed train, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), as they make their way to the city of Dodoma.

The signing ceremony, held at the TRC Head Offices in Dar es Salaam over the weekend saw the director-general of TRC, Masanja Kadogosa, and the representative of the organisers, Waziri Barnabas, sealing this transformative partnership. 

But the journey to this milestone began earlier, as the stakeholders, including officials, sponsors and select runners, embarked on a trial run from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and back, allowing them to experience the comfort and convenience of the SGR train.

"To gain experience and witness the quality of this train transportation for the participants of our marathon who will use it in a few days, we, as the bank and other stakeholders including sponsors, have used this transportation today, and the truth is that it has impressed us greatly," Barnabas expressed.

The Dodoma Marathon season five, scheduled for July 28 at the Jamhuri Stadium, is more than just a sports event – it is a powerful platform to raise funds for the fight against cervical cancer and provide educational sponsorships for midwives, ultimately improving the health of mothers and infants in the country.

"This partnership, along with providing an opportunity for participants of our marathon from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro to travel to Dodoma, also aims to demonstrate our institution's commitment to supporting the significant effort made by the government to realize this large and modern project," Barnabas explained.

In addition to the train option, participants from Dar es Salaam will also have the choice to travel by bus, private car, or plane to the marathon in Dodoma.

"However, the participants who have the opportunity to use this SGR train will be guaranteed various forms of entertainment throughout the journey in specially arranged compartments for them," Barnabas added, further highlighting the thoughtful touches that will make this journey truly remarkable, unique and memorable experience for the participants.

This innovative approach not only enhances the overall experience but also provides a more environmentally friendly and efficient mode of transportation. 

Speaking earlier at the event, Kadogosa assured the participants of the marathon that they will receive unique services and experiences, especially considering that the journey will be one of the first trips of the SGR train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.

"It is my hope that the participants of the Dodoma Marathon will have a travel experience they have never had before. So, I highly encourage the residents of Dar es Salaam and Morogoro to register in large numbers to participate in the noble cause because the distance from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma is no longer a challenge through this SGR train," said Kadogosa.

Regarding participation in the marathon, the chairperson of the organizing committee, Tasiana Masimba, said interested participants can register for the event through the website www.events.nbc.co.tz, with individual registration fees of TZS 35,000 and group registration (minimum 25 people) of Tsh 25,000.