adminTWO time Vumba Half Marathon females’ category winner, Rutendo Nyahora is hoping to celebrate her birthday in style by snatching a gold medal for the third consecutive time when this year’s edition of the race gets underway tomorrow (Saturday) in Mutare.The South African-based Nyahora who turned 27 on Wednesday won the previous two editions of the Vumba Half Marathon females’ category.
“My best time in the 21km race is 73 mins which I recorded last year at the Old Mutual Westgate Half Marathon in Harare. I am still hoping to beat that record and you never know it could in Vumba although I am aware that Vumba is a challenge because of the terrain. “It won’t be easy for us to run and manage to beat the time that we set before, but all the same it is nice to run while enjoying the views of the Eastern Highlands. I have been working hard for the Vumba race and my preparations have been going well. The veteran runner is attached to Nedbank Running Club in South Africa. In a separate interview, Manicaland Athletics Board (MAB) boss, Joshua ‘Zesa’ Matume, confirmed that registration has been going on well and that they are expecting about 600 athletes for this year’s edition of the competition. “Registration for athletes for the Old Mutual Vumba Mountain 2015 Half Marathon has been going on well and all is now set for the event. The registration of athletes has been going on at Old Mutual offices and Body Focus Gym in Mutare. “All is set for the race which is taking place on Saturday (tomorrow). Like we said before, everything might be the same from last year, but there is a slight change on the route. The main event will start near Inn on the Vumba and finish at the Vumba Botanical Gardens.
“We hope we will have the turnout that we are anticipating. In 2013, we had 400 athletes and in 2014 we managed to attract 500 athletes. This time around we are targeting 600 participants,” said Matume.In last year’s half marathon contest, popular long distance runner, Elijah Mabhunu romped home in one hour, five minutes, 15 seconds and two split seconds to win the men’s contest ahead of Lionel Muchena who completed the race in one hour, six minutes, 38 seconds and three split seconds.Zimbabwe Prison’s Wirimai Zhuwao came third, while Lewis Masunda was fourth.
Collin Kanyimo came out fifth.
In last year’s women’s half marathon competition, Nyahora scooped pole position after completing the race in one hour, 17 minutes, 17 seconds and two split seconds.Faith Nyasango was second after finishing the race in one hour, 23 minutes, 17 seconds and three split seconds.
Alice Manake, Sharon Tawenga and Constance Nyasango came out third, fourth and fifth, respectively. In the previous year, Collin Kanyimo was crowned the champions after crossing the finishing line in one hour, nine minutes, 52 seconds while Lyno Muchena settled for second position after completing the race in one hour, 10 minutes and 43 seconds.
Kudakwashe Kadhuna came third after one hour, 11 minutes and 43 seconds.
Nyahora one also won the 2013 edition of the females’ contest after she romped home in one hour 20 minutes and 18 seconds ahead of second placed Constance Nyasango who completed the race in one hour 21 minutes and four seconds.
Faith Nyasango was third after finishing the competition in one hour 24 minutes and 18 seconds.
Participants will contest in the Under-14, juniors, seniors, veterans, masters and grandmasters categories.
Online Reporter