Innocent Kurira [email protected]
THE Kings and Queens Marathon has been hailed as a success after attracting more than 1 000 participants, with the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) describing the turnout as a positive sign for the growth of road running in the city.
The marathon brought together athletes and fitness enthusiasts, with the strong participation highlighting the growing appetite for road-running events in Bulawayo.
BAB chairperson Watson Madanyika said the response to the event was encouraging and demonstrated the potential for the Kings and Queens Marathon to grow into an even bigger fixture on the local athletics calendar.
He said the number of participants was particularly pleasing and reflected the work being done to promote athletics and encourage people to embrace running as both a competitive sport and a healthy lifestyle.
“The event has been a success. We had over 1 000 participants, which is very encouraging for us as the athletics board,” he said.
The chairperson said the turnout also showed that there was room for more road-running events that cater for both elite athletes and ordinary fitness enthusiasts.
He added that the success of the marathon provided a platform for organisers and athletics stakeholders to build on in future editions.
The Kings and Queens Marathon is part of the growing road-running calendar in Bulawayo, which has increasingly become an important platform for athletes preparing for major competitions while also promoting fitness within communities.
The BAB said the response from participants and spectators would give organisers confidence to continue improving the event and attracting an even bigger field in future.
With more than 1 000 people taking part, the marathon provided a strong statement on the popularity of road running in Bulawayo and the potential for the event to become a major fixture on the city’s sporting calendar.
