Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
MURARE Car Rental marked its 10th anniversary in style yesterday when its inaugural half marathon attracted an encouraging turnout in Bulawayo, exceeding the organisers’ expectations and raising hopes of the race becoming an annual fixture.
The event, which featured 21km and 10km races for both men and women, brought together competitive athletes and members of the community in a celebration that combined fitness, sport and the company’s decade-long journey.
Murare Car Rental marketing executive Siqobile Tshandu described the inaugural event as a major success, saying the response from participants was beyond what the organisers had anticipated.
“We are very happy with the turnout and the success of the event. The numbers exceeded our expectations and it was a success for us,” Tshandu said.
With the first edition having received such a positive response, Tshandu said the company could consider bringing the race back next year and moreso to other branches around the country.
The 21km men’s race produced a dominant display from Andrew Dick of Fast and Furious, who crossed the finish line in 1:03:32 to claim the inaugural title.
Isaac Lankard of Mr Pace finished second in 1:04:01, while Blanket Mine’s Mtokhozisi Muhlanga completed the podium in 1:06:30.
There was also a strong showing from Blanket Mine in the men’s 10km event, with Andrew Ndlovu taking first place in 32:06, just one second ahead of teammate Ngonidzashe Ncube, who clocked 32:07.
Lucky Munsaka, also representing Blanket Mine, finished third in 32:33 to complete a clean sweep of the podium for the mining company.
The women’s 21km race was a much closer affair, with Miriam Sibanda edging Annie Chirisa by just four seconds.
Sibanda stopped the clock at 1:36:28, with Chirisa finishing in 1:36:32, while Helen Kufahakutizwi took third place in 1:51:27.
Paris Lobakan emerged victorious in the women’s 10km race after posting 37:02. Ntombelizwe Manyathela was second in 38:46, with Sphathokuhle Nyathi completing the top three in 38:46.
For Murare, however, the significance of the event went beyond the finishing times.
The race provided the company with an opportunity to celebrate its 10-year journey by bringing people together around health, fitness and community participation.
The encouraging response also gives the organisers a foundation on which to build should they decide to stage another edition.
After making its debut with numbers that surpassed expectations, the Murare Car Rental Half Marathon may have already taken its first step towards becoming a fixture on Bulawayo’s athletics calendar.
