The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SOME of the country’s top athletes are expected to participate in the third edition of the Liquor Hub 10km Fun Run Charity Race to be staged around the city this morning.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman, Manuel Mpofu said some of the most accomplished runners that are anticipated to take part in the race are Trust Chidomaya, Isaac Mpofu, Jonathan Chinyoka, Kelvin Pangiso and Nkosiyazi Sibanda for the men. On the women’s side, last year’s winner Patience Murove, Linet Tom, Faith Nyasango, Annie Chirisa and Constance Nyasango are some of those expected to take part.
Tendai Zimuto, the winner of the men’s race is unable to defend his title as he has just finished training with the Zimbabwe National Army.
Mpofu pointed out that as Bab they have been working tirelessly to ensure that the race is a success as they were involved in the setting up of a new route.
“We started preparations a long time ago by putting up a new route which starts at the former Ascot Clothing into Doncaster Road up to 23rd Avenue, pass Bradfield Shops, Mater Dai Hospital, Byo Golf Club, Ascot Racecourse, into Leopold Takawira turn left into Park Road pass Byo Poly and into 12th Avenue Extension up to Fife Street and turn left towards former Ascot Clothing where the race ends,’’ Mpofu said.
Prizes have remained the same as of last year for the event which has a total sponsorship package of $10 000. The best senior man and woman will each pocket $500, $300 will be given to those in second place while third placed athletes will be rewarded with $200. Other categories are junior men and women, wheelchair men as well as women. The awards ceremony will take place shortly after the conclusion of the race.
Meanwhile, Wholesale Centre Liquor Hub and Groceries will be handing over a donation of groceries worth $5 000 to Ingutsheni Central Hospital soon after the race. Stanford Mazura, the Wholesale Centre Liquor Hub and Groceries manager said they had been approached by officials from the hospital last year which saw them make a donation.
“We have identified Ingutsheni as the beneficiaries because they once approached us last year so we decided to give something to them,’’ Mazura said.
Registration, which is pegged at $5 for seniors and $3 for juniors closes this morning, 30 minutes before the start of the race at 7:00. Mazura indicated that as of yesterday morning, around 100 athletes had registered for the race while more were expected to show an interest in taking part yesterday.
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