52 minutes to beat Merc for Simon Muzenda marathon winner

26 Oct, 2014 - 00:10 0 Views

The Sunday News

PREPARATIONS for the 13th edition of the Dr Simon Vengayi Muzenda Gutu Half-Marathon are at an advanced stage with invitations having been rolled out.
Titus Madzingo, the spokesman of the organisers, said everything pertaining to one of the country’s lucrative races on the National Athletics of Zimbabwe calendar was in place with some of the country’s top runners having confirmed participation.

“We are at the preparatory stage and invitations have already been done and a number of companies have already confirmed participation,’’ said Madzingo.

And just as it was last year, the winner of the race has been afforded a chance to drive off in a Mercedes Benz ML 3.2 on top of the $2 500 prize money. However, the catch is that the victorious athlete should complete the 21km race in 52 minutes to drive off in the sleek wheels.

“Through the request of the athletes we have adjusted the time from last year’s 48 minutes to 52 minutes. The athletes say they have trained very hard for the race and they can manage to achieve that time,’’ said Madzingo.

The companies that have confirmed participation include the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, ZRP (Byo), ZRP (Hwange), Lobels, Roots, Ziscosteel, Agribank, Connemara Prison, Powerhouse, Brady Barracks, and the Masvingo Athletics Club.

Last year Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services athlete Kelvin Pangiso came out first beating Lewis Masundu and Phathisa Ngwabi from Hwange, who were second and third, respectively. The trio have already confirmed participation this year.

In the women’s section, Rutendo Nyahora, Constance Nyasango and Faith Nyasango came first, second and third respectively. They have also confirmed that they would be travelling to Gutu.

Already hopes are high ahead of this iconic event meant to uplift the works of the late Vice-President Dr Muzenda, whose wish when inaugurating the race 19 years ago was “to promote sport in the rural areas in a sustainable manner,’’ and what with revelations that the sponsors will maintain last year’s prize money.

The winners of both the men’s and women’s 21km races will pocket $2 500, while the second and third placed runners will leave Gutu $2 000, and $1 500 richer respectively.

“We have maintained the same prize money as what obtained last year. Already the top five athletes from last year’s race have confirmed participation. We appeal to the athletes to bring their own bib numbers, even if registration is done electronically,’’ said Madzingo.

“The route is okay; in fact everything is in place and in order. We are just waiting for the day,’’ said Madzingo.

The race is arguably the biggest on the National Athletics of Zimbabwe calendar in terms of monetary rewards, attendance, as well as providing a variety of races and prizes that include farming implements.

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