Legendary Athlete Juma Ikaanga said he is very delighted to be among athletes who were invited to the United States of America(USA)to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New York Marathon.
Ikaanga who made History at the 1989 New York Marathon as he won the race in a course-record time of 2:08:01, and Last Sunday he was among marathon legends who were invited to mark the 50th anniversary of the race.
Speaking in an interview upon return from the USA on Wednesday ,Ikaanga said it was an honor for him to be among the top legendaries at the marathon , describing it as one of his proudest moments.
He said the memories of 5November ,1989 are still fresh in his life and said he is excited to be part of the 50th anniversary of the New York Marathon, saying it was an opportunity to revisit the setting of the triumph and join others whose achievements helped shape the race’s history.
“ I have just returned home from USA ,but the anniversary celebrations were very good and am delighted to be part of the New York Marathon legendaries at the race,Nearly 60,000 runners took part in this year race of 42.195-kilometre course before finishing in Central Park., it was very exciting,” he said .
Ikangaa said although time has changed ,the New York marathon remains the best platform for top runners across the globe.
“ In the year I competed in the New York Marathon it was like an analog, we were using our inborn abilities but with modern technology and changes now the event is digital everything is science and technology, But i like the exceptional talents shown by athletes who competed at this year's event,” he said .
He further said , the Tanzania Sports Awards conducted by National Council of Tanzania is the best way to honor sports men and women who contributed a lot to the development of sports in the country ,and asked the awards organizers to continue honoring legendary athletes.
Before his departure to USA ,Athletics Tanzania(AT) president Rogath Akhwali said the invitation means a lot to the revered athlete(Ikangaa) and the Association, saying after 35 years ,Americans and the World still remember what Ikaangala did at the 1989 New York Marathon.
" To be a special guest at a big event like the New York Marathon is a great honor ,it's a gesture of appreciation to him(Ikangaa)and Tanzania , This means that Americans and the World still remember what Ikangaa did ,his record is in the book of records of USA," he said.
During his career , Ikangaa The legendary athlete has represented the country at many international competitions which include , 1982 Africa Championships and Commonwealth Games which were held in Egypt and Australia respectively, in 1983 he competed at the World Cup which was held in Finland , in 1984 Represented Tanzania at USA Olympic Games and in 1985 he competed at Japan World Marathon.
Ikangaa also in 1987 he competed at the Italy World Championships ,the following year he competed at South Korea Olympics in 1992 he represented Tanzania at Spain Olympics , in 1993 he competed at the German World Championships and his last World Championships was in 1994 in Sweden.
The marathon began in 1970 within Central Park.
In 1976, it expanded into a citywide race through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx the transformation being celebrated this year.