2006 Mount Mulanje Porters Race ~ It's the 10th Anniversary! (18/04/06)

Second Announcement!

Originally, the Mount Mulanje Porters Race was a competition limited to porters and guides (who escort tourists up the mountain). Later it became an annual event attracting other participants such as local and international athletes. Over the years it has become a big event and attracts hundreds of participants. Through this event Malawi has produced reputable athletes that have put the country on the international map. The Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) in collaboration with the Mulanje Porters and Guides Association facilitates the event.

The race starts at Likhubula Forest Office, the runners trek to Chambe Plateau about 2500m above see level before proceeding (via the plateau) to Lichenya Plateau and back to Likhubula. Records of last year indicate that the first person to cover this tiring 25km race took 2 hrs and 21 min. This was a record. MMCT takes advantage of this event to disseminate messages on environmental management and natural resource conservation. Sponsors of the event also take advantage to advertise their products or services to consumers.

This year we are expecting about 450 runners to participate in Race and the international participants expected are from Europe, Asia, USA, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and others.

Description
Mulanje with its Sapitwa Peak standing over 3,000 metres above sea level is not only the highest mountain but also the most impressive massif in the south-eastern African region. Situated to the south east of Malawi, to the border with Mozambique, Mulanje Mountain has attracted attention of researchers and tourists from different parts of the world. Mulanje Mountain and its forest reserve ranks high in terms of terrestrial biodiversity richness in Malawi. Globally it is an ecological site. Mulanje Mountain is also a home to Malawi’s national tree, Mulanje Cedar (Widdringtonia Whytei).

The massif, covering an area of 250,000 hectares and shared by Mulanje and Phalombe districts, has a very rich and stunning forest reserve, which is a home to a rich and diverse endemic plant and animal species. The forests and woodlands are vital for watershed protection and is the catchment of headwaters for nine strong rivers in the two districts. The mountain also represents an important source of resources like firewood, grass (for thatching), water, timber, animals, and fruits. Close to a million people have their livelihood dependent on resources from the Mountain and the Forest Reserve. To underscore the importance on this resource, the government of Malawi gazetted Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve as a protected area in 1927.

For more information please contact:
Hastings Maloya
Programme Officer - Environmental Education
Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT)
P.O. Box 139
MULANJE
Malawi.
Tel: +265 - 1466282/179
Cel: +265 - 8864241/09950953
e-mail: hastings@mountmulanje.org.mw
Website: www.mountmulanje.org.mw

**********************************************************

Sandra Hails, CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0176; Fax: +41 22 999 0169
E-mail: hails@ramsar.org
Web Site: http://ramsar.org
CEPA mini-Web site: http://ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm

**********************************************************