Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
TATENDA Hove blazed to victory in the 10th edition of the Beitbridge Mayor’s Anti-Litter Half Marathon on Saturday, shrugging off fierce competition and sending a clear message: the fight for a cleaner Zimbabwe is a marathon, not a sprint.
The seasoned long distance runner clocked 1 hour, 2 minutes and 55 seconds to clinch first place in the 21,1km race that began at Lutumba Growth Point and snaked along the Masvingo Highway into the heart of Beitbridge town.
More than just a sporting spectacle, the race has become a powerful annual symbol of civic responsibility, blending athletic excellence with environmental activism.
“Ten years of running against rubbish, 10 years of mobilising the community, and 10 years of reminding us that a clean environment is everyone’s responsibility,” said event spokesperson Raniel Ndou.
With hundreds of athletes from across Zimbabwe taking part, the 2024 edition marked a milestone, drawing delegates from local authorities countrywide, as well as representatives from Musina Municipality in South Africa, Beitbridge’s twinning partner.
The competition featured a full 21,1km half-marathon, a 10km race, and a 5km power walk, all tracing the litter prone Masvingo Highway and finishing in the town’s CBD.
Hove, returning to Beitbridge for the second time after placing second in a recent anti-drug abuse event honouring Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, took full control in the latter stages of the race to cross the line ahead of Mthokozisi Mhlanga (1:03:05) and Jonathan Chinyoka (1:03:40).
In the senior women’s category, Annie Chirisa claimed victory in 1:18:38, followed by Emelda Nyamusvosvo (1:20:30) and Tatenda Chichangani (1:23:22).
The ever consistent Peter Tumbare triumphed again in the veterans’ division, clocking 1:05:58, with Millen Matende (1:08:52) and Nkosiyazi Sibanda (1:08:58) following closely.
In the ladies’ veteran race, Niclah Gonah took top honours in 2:13:03, edging out Vimbai Zanama (2:51:02), who put up a tough fight for much of the route.
The men’s Masters category saw Nicholas Mugomeri (1:12:20) take gold, ahead of Marko Mambo (1:13:10) and Emanuel Toperesu (1:13:13), while in the women’s Masters race, Stella Dokotera (2:32:20) and Irene Chipwakanya (2:36:05) claimed the top two spots.
In the Grandmasters men’s division, Beitbridge Municipality’s own firefighter George Maseko outpaced rivals David Maphosa and Shupi Lazarus, completing the race in 1 hour 30 minutes.
Fortune Jani was crowned champion of the 21,1km Paralympics category.
Ndou said the organisers had gone all out to ensure the event’s success.
He described the 10th anniversary as a landmark for the municipality.
“It’s not just a geographical detour, but a gesture to involve more communities along the southern corridor and highlight how the anti-litter message transcends municipal borders,” he added.
Despite notable strides in raising awareness, Beitbridge still battles with waste. The town produces an estimated 1 000 tonnes of solid waste every month, but only manages to collect around 700 tonnes, leaving a 300 tonne shortfall that threatens public health and tourism.
Blocked drains, illegal dumping, and litter strewn streets remain a challenge in this vital border town, Zimbabwe’s busiest gateway to South Africa.
As the race shows, though, the push for a cleaner Beitbridge is still gaining ground, one kilometre at a time.
