adminOrganisers have expressed satisfaction with preparations so far.
Harare-based athlete Michael Ngaaseke is the defending champion in the 42km event after clocking 2 hours 24 minutes last year.
His time was however three minutes outside 2010 winner Tapiwa Chingandiya’s who came home in 2 hours 21 minutes.
One of the organisers of the race, which is in its ninth year, John Addison yesterday said they were excited about the event and everyone was looking forward to a successful race.
“Everything is good so far and I can safely say that we are now waiting for athletes to start trickling in on Friday and Saturday morning.
“As usual we also expect lots of foreigners who might not necessarily be athletes but just want to have fun,” said Addison.
The race is recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Ngaseke will likely seek to defend his title after outpacing second placed Kudakwashe Kanduna who was home in 2 hours 30 minutes with third placed Ronald Chasara clocking 2 hours 32 minutes.
Lizzie Chokore was the winner in the women’s category with a time of 2 hours 51 minutes, followed by Olivia Chitate who crossed the line in 2 hours 53 minutes with Tanzania’s Bannelia Blayton finishing in 2 hours 58 minutes.
“I can also confirm that we are expecting top athletes from Botswana, Zambia and South Africa which will give a challenge to our own top athletes,” said Addison.
Kelvin Pangiso defended his half marathon title and could be seeking to make it three out of three in this year’s edition
However, Matabeleland South-based athlete, Nkosiyazi Sibanda, winner of this year’s 12km national cross-country championships held at Allan Lowry Golf Club, will also be eager to wrest the title from Pangiso.
In last year’s event Sibanda was 20 seconds behind Pangiso who clocked one hour 07 minutes.
Winners of the full marathon for both men and women will walk home with $600, second placed will get $420 with the bronze medal winner getting $350.
According to the organisers athletes finishing inside 300 will each get a T-shirt and a medal.
In the Zambezi Lite Lager sponsored half marathon, winners will get half of the full marathon prizemoney although up to 600 athletes will be given T-shirts and medals.
Online Reporter