Renowned cyclist Missi Kathumba underlined his revival when he won the 53km Kia-Luwawa International Charity Mountain Bike Marathon Race in Mzimba after clocking 2:09:52 on Saturday.
Kathumba beat defending champion Steven Nazombe by two seconds to win the HTD/Kia Motors-sponsored race at Luwawa Forest where over 30 cyclists competed.
Nazombe of Blantyre Cycling Club and Kathumbi of Eco Active Cycling Club drew out a good lead from the main pack, right up to the last 200 metres.
Third-placed Kwame Kaira of Blantyre Cycling Club clocked 2:11:32.
The first foreigner to finish was American Oliver Pierson, who claimed fourth place in 2:12:26.
The first lady over the line was Julie Parent of Canada, who overcame a spectacular spill near the end of a steep downhill to finish in 2:46:32.
Only 30 competitors— drawn from clubs from Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and outside the country— completed the race with two retiring due to injuries.
Prize presentation took place at Luwawa Lodge.
Fraser Ward of Mozambique Leaf Tobacco company, who came from Tete to compete, presented the Selmar Gassen Memorial Trophy to the winning team.
The race director, George Wardlow, thanked the sponsors and particularly Kia Motors, for supporting the fully-certified international race run under Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules since 2011.
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