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Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has been brought forward to this weekend and fierce competition is expected among Zimbabwe’s road races starved runners. Marathons are few because of lack of sponsors. The hosting of the event usually held in August and September, will provide a cushion for those keen to run and test the waters before the City to City Marathon in South Africa and the famed Soweto Marathon In Johannesburg.
A spokesperson for the main sponsors, Econet, Rangarirai Mberi, confirmed yesterday that the event is on. He said they had come up with good prizes and that they were looking to playing host to the country’s top runners.
“The race is on Sunday and preparations are going on well,” said Mberi.
With the UNWTO Conference and Zimbabwe National Youth Games set for next month, it made sense for the event to be held much earlier.
Zimbabwe’s top road runners are expected to take to the starting line of an event run in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
With both countries co-hosting the UNWTO Conference, the event will also be a demonstration of the camaraderie that has always existed in sport.
Blanket Mine’s Nkosiyazi Sibanda will lead the favourites for the men’s elite class athletes. He is a seasoned runner who has run in South Africa and overseas, depending on his health and energy balancing on the course, he remains a sure bet. With local based runners like Wirimayi Juwawo, Michael Ngaaseke, Kudakwashe Shoko and Sipho Ncube expected also, good times are expected on a cool July Sunday morning.
Sibanda clocked 2 hours 23 minutes 25 seconds last year.
One Brigade Headquarters athlete Millen Matende was second 44 seconds later.
Lyno Muchena who was third, Kuda Kanduna, Marko Mambo, Tawanda Tokisi, Amos Chedondo,
Paul Mhizha, Patrick Chipoyi and the granddad of road running, Jethro Thebe are some of the runners expected to have a say on who appears on the podium in the men’s elite, veterans and masters’ categories.
The women to beat include Monica Kativhu, Samukeliso Moyo, Sharon Tawengwa, Munodaani Chadambuka, Faith Nyasango and Lizzie Chokore.
Saturday afternoon will see the field to take to the starting blocks confirmed at registration.
The event is part of the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races. This makes it an automatic competition for consideration for major races.
The course has a flat route which is not so fast considering times clocked by previous participants drawn from Zambia, UK, Canada, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
A sub 2 hours 20 minutes marathon does not seem on the horizon as yet.
Though a surprise cannot be ruled out as distance running is now taken seriously in Zimbabwe.
A full 42.2km marathon race, 21.2km half marathon run and a 5km fun run are available for different classes of athletes.
The marathon race route starts in the car park outside the banks entrance, then crosses over the Victoria Falls Bridge, briefly into Zambia offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa, the route continues through the Zambezi National Park with some great views of the river, and ends at the Victoria Falls Primary School.
Sponsors of the event include Botswana Tourism, Tanganda, Zambezi Lager, The Kingdom, Mars, Zimplats, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
Online Reporter