Choppies maintains R100k sponsorship package for 10km race

Ngqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Athletics Board (BAB) secretary-general Dailes Bingadadi yesterday said sponsors of the Choppies 10km race to be held in the city on November 23 will maintain last year’s total sponsorship of R100,000.Bingadadi said the race was shifted from November 16 to 23 at the request of the sponsors.

“The competition had initially been set for December 7 in Bulawayo, but was brought forward to November 16 as BAB was avoiding a clash between the race and the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games to be held in the City from December 4 to 15 but after meeting with the sponsors we agreed to have the race on the 23rd of this month,” she said

Bingadadi said Choppies will be maintaining the same amount as last year’s competition.

“The sponsors have indicated that they will maintain last year’s package which was R100,000. We are grateful that they have continued to support us,” she said.

The event, which was previously known as Spar 10km race until its rebranding last year, usually attracts athletes from around the country and Bingadadi invited all of the athletes who want to participate in the event.

“We had a good turnout in the Hope Fountain race and we’re inviting all the athletes in the city to come and participate in the Choppies 10km race,” she said.

Last year’s winners in the seniors in both men and women’s categories pocketed R5,000 each with Rutendo Nyahora successfully defending the title after she crossed the line in 35 minutes 17 seconds.

In 2012, Nyahora won the title in 31 minutes 10 seconds while the previous year she completed the race in 32 minutes 41 seconds. Kevin Pangiso romped home first in 30 minutes 31 seconds to win the race in the men’s category last year.

The second finisher walked away with R3,000, third-placed athletes got R1,500 while fourth-placed athletes received R500 each. In the juniors and wheelchair categories, both male and female winners walked away R1,500 richer, runners-up grabbed R1,000 while second runners-up were awarded R750 each.