Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
SEASONED long distance runner Tatenda Hove on Saturday shrugged off challenge from scores of other athletes to win the 10th edition of the Beitbridge Mayor’s Ant-Litter Half Marathon.
The race was held between Lutumba Growth Point and the border town, along the highway leading to Masvingo.
Hundreds of athletes took to the starting line at the event which is a unique blend of sport and civic duty, raising awareness of the need to maintain a safe and clean environment within the border town and major highways leading to Bulawayo and Harare.
Many athletes from all over Zimbabwe registered to celebrate the 10 years of running against rubbish, 10 years of community mobilisation and 10 years of sending a powerful message that a clean environment is a collective responsibility.
Delegates from various urban local authorities and the Musina Municipality from South Africa, which has a twinning arrangement with Beitbridge, took part.
The race included a 21,1km race, 10km race, and a 5km power walk which all started along the Masvingo Highway and ended in the town’s CBD.
Hove, who crossed the finishing line in 1 hour 2 minutes and 55 seconds, was in the border town for the second time after coming second in a recent anti-drugs and substance abuse event that was held in honour of Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
In second position was Mthokozisi Mhlanga who arrived in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 5 seconds followed by Jonathan Chinyoka who came in third position at 1 hour, 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
Annie Chirisa crossed the 21.1km finishing line first at 1 hour, 18 minutes and 38 seconds in the senior women category with Emelda Nyamusvosvo arriving at 1 hour, 20 minutes and 30 seconds and Tatenda Chichangani in third clocking 1 hour, 23 minutes and 22 seconds.
Veteran Peter Tumbare beat perennial contenders again crossing the line at 1 hour, 5 minutes and 58 seconds, Millen Matende 1 hour, 8 minutes and 52 seconds and Nkosiyazi Sibanda 1 hour, 8 minutes and 58 seconds who came in second and third respectively in that category.
In the ladies’ veteran category, Niclah Gonah 2 hours, 13 minutes and 3 seconds was victorious beating Vimbai Zanama 2 hours, 51 minutes and 2 seconds who gave her a stiff challenge for the better part of the race.
Nicholas Mugomeri 1 hour, 12 minutes and20 seconds, Marko Mambo 1 hour, 13 minutes and 10 seconds) and Emanuel Toperesu 1 hour, 13 minutes and 13 seconds finished in first, second and third positions in the men’s Masters category. Stella Dokotera 2 hours, 32 minutes and 20 seconds and Irene Chipwakanya (2 hours,36 minutes and 5 seconds) were victorious in the females.
Beitbridge Municipality fireman, George Maseko 1 hour, 30 minutes outpaced David Maphosa and Shupi Lazarus who arrived two minutes later in second and third position in the men’s Grandmaster’s race.
Fortune Jani was crowned winner in the 21.1km Paralympics race.
Raniel Ndou said the race was a milestone for the local authority which has managed to change the community’s perspective on littering since they began a decade ago.
“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 emphasised.
Beitbridge residents, businesses and the transient population produce solid waste around 1 000 tonnes monthly while the local authority only manages to collect around 700 tonnes.
The shortfall manifests in unsightly litter, blocked drains and a threat to both health and tourism in a town that serves as the country’s busiest border post and gateway to South Africa.
