The Sunday News
Chipo Sabeta, Harare Bureau
IT is that time of the year again when middle as well as long-distance runners, professional, along with amateur runners converge on Old Georgians Sports Club for the Old Mutual 42,2km Harare Marathon.
Veteran runners Mike Fokorani and Samukeliso Moyo, who came first last year will be keen to defend their titles at the 2019 edition which starts and ends at OGs this morning. Last year, Fokorani was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s section in 2 hours 21minutes 39seconds while in the women’s section Moyo clocked 3hours 1minute 14seconds to take the title.
Prizes worth $24 000 are up for grabs this year as the 42,2km race has evolved with time, starting off as the Old Mutual Rodger Brackley marathon, then Old Mutual RB Relay Challenge, Old Mutual Relay Challenge before rebranding to Old Mutual Harare Marathon.
Besides the 42,2km race, which is the main event, the Old Mutual Harare Marathon has three other categories, these being include the 5km, 10km and 21,1km half marathon.
“In this year’s edition of the Marathon runners stand to walk away with $2 000 as the first prize in both the male and female categories. There are also numerous prizes for winners of the different distance categories,” said Old Mutual group marketing communications and brand manager, Lawrence Mawoni.
The race serves as a qualifier for the 2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans, a race taking place in Cape Town, South Africa over Easter weekend and professional athletes are geared for the event to test the athletes’ physical fitness.
Among the multitudes of 1 000 registered participants are seasoned campaigners of Zimbabwe’s long distance running that included Constance Nyasango, Faith Nyasango, Tendai Zimuto Wellington Varevi, Virimai Zhuwawo and Nkosiyazi Sibanda among others.
Mawoni said it was all systems go, thanking the athletes for showing interest in the race as they anticipate a great turnout.
“The Old Mutual Harare Marathon was the first ever Zimbabwean marathon to be recognised as a qualifying event both the Old Mutual Two Oceans 56km, and the Comrades Marathon which is also sponsored by Old Mutual,” he said.
“A total of 1300 participants are expected this year. The Old Mutual Harare Marathon is unique in that it appeals to professional and amateur runners alike, with several distances open to runners. The race also adheres to strict professional standards through the use of electronic timing to ensure accurate timing for every runner as according to global standards,” Mawoni added.
There are age limits to all the races with the minimum age for 42.2km set at 18 years, 21.1 km set at 16 years, 10km set at 14 years and 5km set at 12 years.
— @sabetachichi
