Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
FEMALE long-distance runner Olivia Chitate says though her preparations are not up to her expected standard she is still chasing gold in Sunday’s 10km Liquor Hub Fun Run.
Chitate was the last female athlete to win the race back in 2019 with a time of 35:29 seconds. Moses Tarakinyu of Black Rhinos won in the senior men’s section crossing the finish line in 29:14.
The race failed to take place last year due to Covid-19 lockdowns, and is making its return on the calendar this year.
“Obviously as an athlete the goal is always to win and that is the attitude that l will take to the race.
The preparations are not smooth because we are not certain if the race will go ahead. The other concern is that we are still fresh from the Covid-19 lengthy spell on the sidelines.
It will be interesting to see how myself and other athletes will respond to the test,” said Chitate.
This year’s race is being sponsored to the tune of R50 000.
Registration for the race is on at Liquor Hub Wholesale and seniors will pay US$5 or $1 000, while juniors will part with US$3 or $600 and walkers (US$2 or $400).
Raji Modi, proprietor of Liquor Hub Wholesale Centre, has partnered a Bulawayo-based organisation Brave Little Hearts in this initiative. The Bulawayo South MP said he will cater for all the expenses for selected children to undergo surgery in India.
Winners of both the men and women’s races are set to walk away with R3 500, with second-placed athletes getting R2 500 and third-placed R2 000.
In the juniors’ category, the winners will get R1 250, R800 for second prize and R600 for third place.
In the wheelchair section, the first prize is R1 500 and the runner-up gets R1 000.
There are also prizes for the youngest male and female athletes, with R300 going to the first finisher and R250 for the second.
The event has become one of the flagship Bulawayo Athletics Board’s (Bab) road races and end of year competition. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter