leeroy mupariri
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is that time of the year when distance runners converge in Manicaland for the Old Mutual Vumba Half Marathon and the hosts are confident of another successful edition of the race this weekend.
The event, slated for Sunday, is expected to attract between 1 000 and 1 200 participants for the main race, which is the half marathon, and the supporting races in the 10km and 5km.
Manicaland Athletics Board chairperson Joshua Matume said registration is ongoing and by yesterday afternoon they had over 800 entries. “We are almost done, we have identified the route and, so far, a few high-profile athletes from Zimbabwe have already registered.
“We have already done the route markings and as for Mutare athletes, they are doing a thorough preparation. Registration will close as soon as the slots are finished. We are expecting between 1 000 and 1 200 participants,” said Matume. Matume said the challenging course has proven to be a platform for some of the athletes to prepare for international races.
“As the Manicaland Athletics Board, we have already put our officials in place because we need qualified officials to be in charge of that route as it is a very important race on our calendar. The route, I can say is the most challenging in Zimbabwe. Most of our big athletes, actually use that route in preparation for other upcoming events.
“It’s quite a challenging route and athletes love it because it would be part of their training.
“And again, as we look at their times, I think last time the first man home clocked 1 hour 10 minutes.” Blessing Waison and Ethel Pangiso are the defending champions.
However, Pangiso will not be able to garner another title as she is still recovering from an injury that she picked at the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon.
However, Matume is optimistic about a quality field. “Our top athletes usually come in at the last minute to register. But we are expecting the likes of Moses Tarakinyu, Milan Matende, Tendai Zimuto, and Wellington Varevi, who will be part of the group that will participate in Vumba.
“On the ladies” side, we are expecting Caroline Mhandu, Chiedza Chokore, Nivea Maganzo, Fortunate Chidzivo, and Miriam Sibanda.
“We are expecting that they are going to beat the time that was posted last year because some of the athletes here in Mutare are using the Vumba terrain for their training.
“So, we are expecting that they surpass the time. We are looking at the likes of Milan Matende, Caroline Mhandu, and Nivea Maganza. “The course record is 1 hour 9 minutes 34 seconds run by Moses Tarakinyu in 2022,” Matume said.
Tarakinyu missed last year’s event as he was competing in another race in South Africa.
It’s not certain if he will be part of Sunday’s participants after competing at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon where he finished ninth last Sunday, in South Africa.
It was his second attempt at a marathon and first time to finish the 42km event.
Mr. Pace Athletics Club coach Collen Makaza said they will be fielding two athletes — Wayne Kabondo and Miriam Sibanda.
Last year Kabondo placed seventh in the men’s category and Sibanda was second in the women’s section. Winners for both men and women will get US$1000. Second and third place will receive US$700 and US$500 respectively.
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