The much awaited Kilimanjaro Premium Lager International Marathon race number collection exercise started yesterday (Friday) on a high note at the Mlimani City Mall.

Hundreds of participants thronged the mall to collect their numbers and took photos of their running tshirts and bibs.

The Executive Solutions Events Manager, David Marealle who are the national Coordinators said the exercise is running smoothly.

"We started yesterday at 4pm and are here today (Saturday Feb 15) and tomorrow Sunday Feb 16) from 10am - 6pm," he said.

He noted that this year there is an extension of hours in the race number and running shirt collection exercise.

“We have extended our hours into the evening to ensure that you can collect your numbers after work and try to ensure less queuing,” read the statement in part adding that it will be much easier for participants to collect numbers at the Dar es Salaam and Arusha venues to avoid last minute rush in Moshi.

After Dar es Salaam, the exercise will move to Arusha on Tuesday February 18 and Wednesday February 19 from 2pm – 7 pm at the Kibo Palace Hotel.

He said the last collection point will be Moshi on Thursday February 20 from 12pm – 5pm, Friday February 21 from 10am – 6pm and Saturday February 22 from 10am to 5pm at the MoCU Stadium.

According to the organizers, numbers for the CRDB 5Km Run are still open and on sale. Participants can register through Mixx by YAS (formerly Tigopesa) by dialing *150*01#, then press 5 LKS, then press 6 (Ticket) and follow instructions to complete their registration or online through www.kilimanjaromarathon.com. A reminder, there are limited numbers in this race too and the event is over 60% sold out already, so don’t delay, first come – first serve on these entries too.

Marealle appealed to the participants to observe the announced times to avoid inconveniences and also called on those collecting numbers for their friends or relatives to ensure they have copies of their identity cards and consent letters allowing the representatives to collect on their behalf.

He further issued stern warning against those selling numbers online illegally saying that legal action will be applied against them. “This is illegal and we will apply legal action against them,” he stressed.

Also targeted are those intending to run with fake numbers as they will be withdrawn from the races, their results nullified and banned from participating in Kilimanjaro International Marathon.

According to Marealle the event is a zero tolerance event for any form of ambush marketing, both on route, during the event and via any other marketing, promotions and brand association means, and the organisers will take legal action against any corporates or participants seen to be disrespectful towards their headline sponsors in The Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Marathon, The Yas Kili Half Marathon and the CRDB Bank Fun Run and well as their official supporting sponsors.

This year’s sponsors include Kilimanjaro Premium Lager-42km (Main Sponsor), YAS- 21km Half Marathon, CRDB Bank – 5Km Fun Run, water table sponsors Simba Cement, Kilimanjaro Water, TotalEnergiesand TPC Sugar, as well as official partners-GardaWorld Security, CMC Automobiles, Salinero Hotels -Kilimanjaro and suppliers - Kibo Palace Hotel and Keys Hotel.

Kili Marathon is organised by the Kilimanjaro Marathon Company Limited and nationally coordinated by Executive Solutions Limited.