Bulawayo Half-Marathon debut starts slow

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE Baldmin Bulawayo Half-Marathon made its long-awaited debut at White City Stadium on Sunday, marking a significant moment for the city’s athletics calendar despite several organisational hiccups.

The last time a 21,1km event was run in Bulawayo’s Western Suburbs was 25 years ago when the event was being sponsored by Bulawayo Bottlers.

The Edgars Half-Marathon was also run on the same course and was last run in the mid 1990s.

The race, which attracted top participants from around the country got off to a rocky start with a delay of over an hour.

Organisers attributed the setback to logistical challenges.

As athletes waited, frustration mounted.

Some runners, eager to get going, began the race without official clearance. The situation was compounded by the absence of water points and a malfunctioning lead car for the 21.1km race, forcing athletes to rely on route marshals for navigation.

Despite the challenges, event organiser Themba Mhlophe remained optimistic.

“We had a delay to the start of the event but overall the race was a success and we will rectify some of the mistakes from today to ensure the race is without fault next year,” said Mhlophe.

Wayne Kabondo won the senior men’s 21km category in 1 hour 03 minutes 48 seconds, followed by Tatenda Hove in 1 hour 04 minutes 06 seconds and Moses Tarakinyu in 1 hour 04 minutes 38 seconds.

Kabondo said: “It was a good race. The course itself is good but there is need for improvement in terms of how the event is organised.”

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mandu claimed first place in 1 hour 13 minutes 13 seconds.

The 10km women’s race was dominated by Tulange Mudenda from Binga with a time of 37 minutes 16 seconds. She was followed by Mabambe Mudenda in 39 minutes 21,03 seconds and Mecsheline Mudenda in 41 minutes 02,20 seconds.

In the men’s 10km category, Blessed Sipanela finished first in 33 minutes 08 seconds. Ndodana Paradza came second in 34 minutes 07 seconds, while Shelton Ncube secured third place with 34 minutes 23 seconds.

Previous Wiri won the men’s wheelchair race in 1 hour 01 minutes 40 seconds, while Stella Jongwe triumphed in the women’s wheelchair event, clocking 1 hour 21 minutes 17 seconds.

“I am happy to have won the race. The course is good and I really enjoyed taking part,” said Jongwe.

Meanwhile, World Athletics (WA) certified coach Muzi Mabuza from Eswatini is in Bulawayo conducting a Level Two Sprints and Hurdles coaching course at White City Stadium.

The six-day programme, organised by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz), has drawn 24 coaches, including two from Botswana and one from Zambia.

The initiative aims to empower local coaches and raise the standard of athletics in Zimbabwe.

Event Results

Senior Men’s 21km

1st: Wayne Kabondo – 1:03:48

2nd: Tatenda Hove – 1:04:06

3rd: Moses Tarakinyu – 1:04:38

Senior Women’s 21km

1st: Caroline Mandu – 1:13:13

Men’s 10km

1st: Blessed Sipanela – 33:08, 2nd: Ndodana Paradza – 34:07, 3rd: Shelton Ncube – 34:23

Women’s 10km

1st: Tulange Mudenda – 37:16:00, 2nd: Mabambe Mudenda – 39:21:03, 3rd: Mecsheline Mudeda – 41:02:20