Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HAILED as the world’s most challenging marathons, spanning almost 90km, the Comrades Marathon has also contributed significantly to South Africa’s economic growth.
The Comrades is held annually in Durban and Pietermaritzburg and attracts over 20 000 runners from across the world.
According to Moneyweb, the event generates millions of dollars, promotes sports tourism and creates several job opportunities downstream.
“It (Comrades Marathon) showcases South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture while bringing together athletes from across the globe, who bring much-needed foreign currency,” writes Moneyweb.
A number of Zimbabweans, including three-time winner Stephen Muzhingi, have over the years participated in the iconic marathon.
The Comrades has been a source of inspiration for local leading marathon promoter Kudzai Pasipanodya, popularly known as Musabvunda.
He wants to see local marathons transforming into a big industry that can attract international runners and spur on economic growth.
Pasipanodya has been organising more than five half-marathon events a year.
He told Zimpapers Sports Hub about his vision.
“Our marathons, our activities are top-notch, and we also try to change a lot of things this year, and definitely I want to see a lot of changes on our map.”
Pasipanodya, an avid runner, who has participated in different international marathons, believes it’s now time that he implements what he has experienced beyond the borders at home.
He described the marathons as a big industry with potential to boost the country’s economy through sports tourism.
“Marathons are actually a very big industry.
“It’s only that as a country, we are behind, but if you look at other countries, they make a lot of money through marathons.
“I will just give you an example. We have Comrades marathons where we go to South Africa where we have 20 000 or 25 000 athletes, with international runners paying maybe US$150 or we can say US$100, that is about US$2.5 million.
“This is before you factor in the hotels, the food, the holidays. I think money spent by visitors is about US$20 million, it’s really a big industry for people who are running.
“I have been to all international platforms, I have seen these things and it’s not like the organisers are better than us and as Musabvunda we want to take the lead and have our marathons grow to that magnitude,’’ said Pasipanodya.
He added that apart from the marathons having the potential to rake in millions, having more events in a year also helps to sustain the lives of runners while promoting a healthy lifestyle for locals.
“Having many marathons is important because you will find that, especially the elite athletes, it gives them an opportunity to prepare for international runs.
“In our marathons, we also try to give prize money to encourage the elite athletes to participate, thanks to our corporate friends, who put money into this thing as it helps athletes to survive.
“Most of them are actually surviving on running.
“You will also find that maybe of the 1,500, the 2,000 runners, 200 or 150 will be elite runners and we have got social runners.
“The good thing about these social runners is they will then change their lifestyle,” said Pasipanodya.
Musabvunda have since released their calendar of events for 2025.
The calendar began with a programme in conjunction with Star FM known as the ‘biggest loser and biggest gainer’, which targets the loss of calories gained during the festive holidays, while measuring the biggest gainers in muscles.
