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Sports Reporter
Cimas Health Group has set November 17 and 24 for this year’s edition of the annual iGo half-marathon in Harare and Bulawayo.
The Harare leg is set for tomorrow at ZB Sports Club while the Bulawayo leg will be at Bulawayo Athletic Club on November 24.
This year’s marathon will be held under the theme: “Men’s Health Champions Build Healthier Communities”, with a strong focus on raising awareness about men’s health, particularly prostate and testicular cancer.
In both Harare and Bulawayo, the marathon will kick off with the 21km race at 5:30am followed by the 10km race at 6am and the 5km race at 6:30am.
Cimas Health Group’s chief executive officer, Vuli Ndlovu, said the Cimas iGo half marathon aims to promote wellness and aligning with Movember initiatives meant to raise awareness of men’s health issues, particularly cancers that affect men.
“In recognition of Men’s Health Awareness Month, also known as Movember, a global movement focused on raising awareness around men’s health issues, Cimas Health Group is proud to host the Cimas iGo half marathon to bring attention to prostate cancer and other men’s health concerns,” Mr Ndlovu said.
“The marathon designed to encourage both physical fitness and motivate men to take control of their health is open to all members of the public, whether you are an avid runner, health enthusiast, or simply wish to support this noble cause.”
All proceeds from the marathon will be donated to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe as part of Cimas Health Group’s corporate social responsibility.
“Last year’s Cimas iGo half marathon, was oversubscribed, and US$13 753 was raised. The money was donated to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, reaffirming our commitment to the fight against cancer, which remains one of the leading health challenges not only in Zimbabwe,” said Ndlovu.
“We expect this year’s edition of the iGo half marathon to be even bigger and better than last year when 1,422 athletes participated in different races. By hosting this marathon as part of our Movember initiatives, Cimas Health Group promotes physical activity and fosters a culture where men must feel empowered to address their health concerns.”
Through the iGo brand, Cimas provides holistic wellness programmes that reflect global standards.
“The Cimas iGo wellness programme, under which this marathon is held, is dedicated to improving the health and lifestyle of Zimbabweans through various activities, such as health screenings, fitness and wellness events,” he said.
“As we join the global Movember movement to raise awareness for men’s health, let’s not forget the important role women can play in supporting their partners’ wellbeing, encouraging them to prioritise their health, and fostering a culture of openness.”
Ndlovu said men commonly face health issues such as prostate cancer, a disease affecting millions of men globally, testicular cancer, mental health challenges including depression and anxiety, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, among others.
According to the Cancer Research Institution, prostate cancer is the second most common for men, only trailing skin cancer. The research institution notes that approximately 1.3 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, and one in seven men will be impacted by it in their lifetime.
“As Cimas Health Group we encourage all men to get screened for prostate cancer and take charge of their health through regular medical check-ups and professional support,” said Ndlovu.
Online Reporter