Another athletics event for Bulawayo

THE Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) has turned its attention to the hosting of the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) annual marathon, which is set for White City Stadium on July 27.

The marathon is part of ZSM’s corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at raising funds for the underprivileged communities. It also serves as a wellness initiative to keep employees, students and the community healthy. Bab chairperson, Watson Madanyika said they are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the event is successful and is bigger than last year’s edition.

“Our focus now is on the ZSM Marathon, which we want to make sure is bigger than the inaugural edition held last year. “This year, we are having a full marathon hence we have to be thorough with our preparations for the event so that its a success,” said Madanyika. He says they are expecting big field for the event.

“With the Victoria Falls Marathon now out of the way, we expect the numbers of those registering to increase in the coming days,” he said. Last year, the marathon attracted 1 800 participants and was held at the ZSM campus. It started and finished at the School of Mines in Killarney and it proved a success with a quality field.

Veteran long-distance runner, Moses Tarakinyu won the half marathon race crossing the finishing line in one hour four minutes and 41 seconds. Tendai Zimuto who managed a second-place finish was four seconds behind Tarakinyu with a time of one hour four minutes and 46 seconds. It was a tightly contested race between the two athletes.

Annie Chirisa won the women’s 21,1km race. She finished in a time of one hour 21 minutes and 45 seconds. Chiedza Chokore was second in one hour 22 minutes and 32 seconds. Stella Jongwe came first in the women’s wheelchair 21,1km race finishing in one hour 32 seconds. — @innocentskizoe.