Innocent Kurira [email protected]
HIGHLANDERS have announced prize money for their centenary half marathon, with the winners of the men’s and women’s 21,1km races set to receive US$500 each on October 24.
The race is one of the headline events at the club’s centenary family fun day, with runners set to compete across different distances and categories as the Bulawayo football giants take their 100-year celebrations beyond the football pitch.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairperson Watson Madanyika said the cash incentives would add a competitive edge to the event by giving athletes more to fight for across the different categories.
“Cash prizes are an important incentive because they give athletes an extra reason to compete for top positions. We expect the rewards to bring more competition to the field, while also encouraging more runners to participate and test themselves against others,” said Madanyika.
Bab is providing technical support to ensure the competition is properly organised and meets the required standards.
The main 21,1km races carry prizes of US$500 for first place, US$300 for second and US$200 for third in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The 10km races will offer US$200, US$150 and US$100 to the top three finishers in both categories, while the wheelchair races carry the same prize structure. In the 5km fun run, the first
three finishers in the men’s and women’s categories will receive US$100, US$75 and US$50 respectively.
Veteran, masters and grand masters runners have also been catered for across the 21,1km and 10km races.
In the 21,1km veterans category, the top three will receive US$150, US$100 and US$50, while masters runners will compete for US$100, US$80 and US$40. Grand masters will earn US$70, US$50 and US$20.
In the 10km veterans category, the men’s prizes are US$90, US$60 and US$40, while the women’s category offers US$90, US$50 and US$40. Masters runners will compete for US$70, US$50 and
US$40, with grand masters set to receive US$60, US$50 and US$40.
The prize announcement follows the official launch of the event earlier this month, with organisers reporting encouraging interest from the corporate sector. Several companies have come on board to support the race and further sponsorship is expected.
Registration costs US$15 for the 21,1km and 10km races, while entry into the 5km fun run is US$10.
All three events will start and finish at the Highlanders Clubhouse. The half-marathon route will take athletes along the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport road, with runners turning back at the 10,55km mark before heading to the finish.
The family fun day will also feature football matches involving supporters’ chapters, while former and active sportspeople are expected to participate in basketball, darts, rugby and football for both men and women. Activities will be centred around the Highlanders Clubhouse, with Chiefs Village among the venues earmarked for the celebrations.
Beyond sport, the centenary programme will promote membership growth, road safety, environmental cleanliness, the fight against drug and substance abuse, and community wellness.
The event is expected to bring together athletes, supporters and residents, using the club’s 100-year milestone to encourage fitness, community participation and stronger links between Highlanders and its wider support base.
