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THERE is a glimmer of hope for the future of athletics in the city. This was evidenced by the huge corporate support for the first edition of the Masiyephambili Marathon on Sunday. Things have not been going the sport’s way since Roy Phiri quit the sport as only a few races have been held in the city. This was largely blamed on failure to attract sponsorship.
However, after the inaugural Masiyephambili Marathon which was won by Andrew Chimbidzikai in a time of two hours 15 minutes 32 seconds and in the process taking home $1 500, some athletics gurus believe that athletics prospects are bright.
The organisers of the Masiyephambili Marathon managed to lure strategic partners who made the race a success.
PPC Cement sponsored prizes for the main race that saw winners for both men and women’s categories taking home $1 500, with the first runners-up getting $600, the third placed athletes got $400 while the athletes that crossed the line fourth went away with $300. There was a consolation prize of $200 for fifth placed athletes.
Prizes for the Half Marathon were $500 for the winners, $400 for first runners-up, $300 for second runners-up, $300 for position four and $100 for athletes who finished fifth.
BancABC bankrolled prizes for the 21km race.
Zimpost sponsored medals with Edgars providing T-shirts while Innscor donated food and refreshments were provided by Delta Beverages.
The leading vehicles for all races were provided by Autoworld with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority funding prizes for the juniors’ relays.
Sports scientist Bhekumuzi Khumalo said he was impressed with the turnout out but however, said organisers could have avoided the chaos that resulted in a four-hour delay to the start of the proceedings caused by wrangling over prize-money.
“To avoid such unnecessary delays, prizes must be made public long before the race day and officials need to listen to athletes. That aside this was one of the best supported races in terms of the attendance by top athletes. These races develop athletes and I am happy that we had junior races but individual event for the Under-20s would have been a good idea.
A group of seasoned athletes who included Olympians Wirimai Juwawo, Athletes Commission of Zimbabwe chairperson Cuthbert Nyasango, celebrated long distance runner Samukeliso Moyo and Tabitha Tsatsa demanded that the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) reveal the prize schedule for all categories before the race hence the delay in starting the races.
Online Reporter