The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
REGISTRATION for this year’s Rail Trail, an annual Charity race run by the National Railways of Zimbabwe is underway, with the process to come to a conclusion at the end of this month.
In a statement, NRZ public relations manager Nyasha Maravanyika said registration was now open with entries to close on 31 October for the race on 3 November. The marathon was launched in 2018 and is now an annual feature on the Bulawayo athletics calendar. Its starting and finishing point is Raylton Recreational Club.
The marathon has four categories, that is the flagship 21km race, 10km, five kilometres and a five-kilometre walk which are open to all men, women and children including wheelchair athletes.
“Registration for the marathon is now open and can be done at NRZ Headquarters at Parkade Centre, Bulawayo Station, Harare Station and Gweru Station. Registration was opened on 23 September 2019 and will close on 31 October 2019. Registration can also be done online at www.nrz.co.zw,” Maravanyika said.
Registration fees are pegged at RTGS$50 for adults and RTGS$25 for children with RTGS$33 000 having been put aside for prize money. The winner in the 21km races both male and female will each walk away with
RTGS$3 500 while the prize money in the wheelchair categories is RTGS$1 500 for the top finishers. In the 10km race, the winner will walk away with RTGS$1 000. Masters and Grandmasters who finish first will take home RTGS$500. Winners in the 5km walk will receive train tickets.
Proceeds from the marathon will be used to cater for charity and community development purposes.
“NRZ is urging professional runners, amateurs, school children, fitness enthusiasts and families to take part in this worthy cause,’’ said Maravanyika.
The Rail Trail Annual Charity Half Marathon commemorates the arrival of the first train in Bulawayo 4 November 1897. It is undertaken under the NRZ Corporate Social Responsibility initiative which supports the needy in society as well as communities.
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