Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
ZIMBABWE athletes who dream at taking part in the World Half-Marathon and 10km events have received a reprieve after the National Association and Mr Pace, set 10 May as the date at which athletes will compete in a World Athletics accredited route.
Mr Pace, established by former World 50km winner, Collin Makaza, is the organiser of the event, which is expected to attract a good field of both men and women who would like to compete at the World Championships over the distance this year. Athletes will also qualify for African Championships over the distance because the route is WA certified, meaning that the standards will be of a higher level.
The route having been marked and passed as good enough for such level of competition, is surely set to see a good number of top Zimbabwean athletes eager to show each other pairs of heels on the road.
While not paying much, Zimbabwean athletes have continuously supported local races hoping to impress and attract attention of national coaches and clubs in South Africa, which have been home for many athletes including three-time Comrades Marathon winner Stephen Muzhingi, Mike Fokorani, Marko Mambo, Margaret Mahohoma, Samukeliso Moyo and Sharon Tavengwa.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub on Friday afternoon, soon after the launch, an excited Zimbabwe athletics boss, Tendai Tagara, said he was happy that the 10km race course was the only standard international race over the distance.
He said the race will be used to consider athletes for the World Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan.
He praised Makaza and his Mr Pace for securing sponsorship for the event, which was launched on Friday afternoon at Zimpost.
“We officially launched the Mr Pace Post Insurance race, it involves two major events, the 21,1km and 10km, it’s the only course where they will be selected for the World Championships that will be in Tokyo, Japan. It’s the only race where an internationally accredited route marker came to mark.
“The international measurements certified routes for 21,1km and 10km races were marked by Norris Williamson,” said Tagara. He expressed his relief at having an accredited route in Zimbabwe, saying it is a relief in that local athletes will not have to go outside the country to try and qualify for the 5 000 and 10 000m races.
“It is the only opportunity, where they will not pay any money to go outside the country to try and qualify as they will do so on home soil. So, we are saying, qualify here in Zimbabwe for the World Championships and African Championships. There is no need to go overseas or nearby countries,” said Tagara.
Of the Half-Marathon, Tagara said it was one of the highest paying with winners to take home US$700.
