Innocent Kurira
BULAWAYO comes alive this morning as runners hit the road for the Highlanders Centenary Half Marathon, with athletes, fitness enthusiasts and club supporters converging for a day of sporting action as the Bulawayo giants celebrate 100 years of existence.
With the streets set to provide the stage for the centenary celebrations, the 21,1km half-marathon, 10km races and 5km fun run headline a packed programme at the Highlanders Clubhouse, where all three races will start and finish.
The event is one of the major attractions of the club’s centenary family fun day, bringing together the athletics and football communities in a celebration of fitness, competition and the rich history of one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football clubs.
The half-marathon route takes runners along the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport road, with participants turning at the 10,55km mark before making their way back to the clubhouse.
There is plenty to run for, with the winners of the men’s and women’s 21,1km races set to pocket US 300, while third-place finishers will take home US$200.
The 10km races and wheelchair events also carry cash prizes, while the 5km fun run will reward the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Beyond the road races, the centenary family fun day will feature football matches involving supporters’ chapters, alongside basketball and darts activities, bringing different sporting communities together for the historic occasion.
The celebrations will also promote membership growth, road safety, environmental cleanliness, the fight against drug and substance abuse, and community wellness.
