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IT’S all systems go for Sunday’s 20th edition of the Dr Simon Vengesai Muzenda Gutu Half Marathon in which the winner stands a chance of winning a Mercedes Benz in addition to the $2,500 prize money.
Organisers have said any athlete that will run 58 minutes in the men’s race or one hour eight minutes in the women’s category will drive away a Mercedes Benz ML 3.2.
This is a big challenge considering that the official International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world record for men is 58 minutes 23 seconds set by Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea on March 21, 2010, at the Lisbon half marathon in Portugal.
The women’s world record is one hour 5 minutes 9 seconds set by Florence Kiplagat of Kenya on February 15, 2015, in Barcelona, Spain.
The Gutu Half-Marathon was founded by the late Vice-President Muzenda 20 years ago under the theme “promote sports in the rural areas in a sustainable manner”.
The race has continued to grow in leaps and bounds and attracted foreign participants last year.
“It’s now official, the half-marathon is on this Sunday. Some top athletes have already registered and numerous schools countrywide are keen to participate at this national event. Many athletes have already registered and all indications are that we might surpass last year’s number of 1,456,” said Titus Madzingo, spokesman for the organisers.
Madzingo said the race organisers would maintain the prizes of the last editions and free accommodation will be provided for all athletes.
Winners of the main race in both the male and female categories will pocket $2,500, runners-up $2,000, with the third up to the 10th-placed athlete all expected to receive some cash prizes.
In the juniors’ category (10KM), the winner will pocket $500 and the second-placed $450. A 10KM race and a fun run for the Under-13s has also been lined-up.
“We will provide accommodation but we urge athletes to bring their favourite bib numbers. The orgamisers are not going to supply athletes with bibs this time,’’ Madzingo said.
Registration will be done at Liquidity Sports Bar, Mupandawana High School and Paradise Motel in Gutu, and closes tomorrow.
Among the high profile athletes who have confirmed participation are defending men’s and women’s champions Elijah Mabhunu and Rutendo Nyahora, who won the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon women’s 10KM race last weekend.
The race categories will include the main event, the 21KM, as well as relays over the same distance. There will also be the Under-20 boys’ and girls’ 10KM race as well as a 5KM event for the Under-13s.
The entire top brass of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) will grace the event as they have chosen it to stage their annual general meeting in Gutu.
The NAAZ AGM will be held tomorrow.
NAAZ president Tendai Tagara said on the agenda would be progress reports from both the national executive and provincial boards that will also be expected to come up with proposals for next season.
The calendar for the next athletics’ season, preparatory plans for next year’s international events, such as the IAAF World Junior Championships and the senior African Championships set for Durban, South Africa, in July will also come up for discussion.
Online Reporter