Tanzania hosts pre-Olympic Torch Relay half marathon

DAR ES SALAAM, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Some 500 runners on Sunday took part in a pre-Olympic Torch Relay half marathon race held by the Tanzania Athletic Association in collaboration with the Coca-Cola Tanzania Company.

Marco Joseph from Arusha of northern Tanzania clocked one hour three minutes 24 seconds to finish first in the men's group, followed by Rogart Steven John at 1:03:31 and Peter Sule at 1:03:32.

The title of women's group went to Janet John who was timed 1: 15:05. She was also from Arusha. Saral Ramadhani and Mary Naali finished second and third in the same group with clockings of 1:15: 06 and 1:17:55.

All the top finishers hailed from Tanzania.

Alongside the half marathon there was also a 5-kilometer fun race which drew almost as many distance running hobbyists from Tanzania, China, South Korea, the United States, Germany, Britain and France.

Dar es Salaam has been chosen as the only African city to host the global relay of the Olympic Flame. The Olympic Torch Relay is scheduled to be held in the city on April 13.

The Olympic Torch continues its global relay to Oman from Dar es Salaam before arriving in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.