adminMuzingaye Ncube Sports Reporter
ITS all systems go as the country’s top long distance runners converge on Nkulumane Shopping Mall for the annual Old Mutual 10km fun run this morning. More than 300 athletes are expected to take part in today’s race which will feature six categories that include the open race, wheelchair, veterans, masters, grandmasters and secondary schools.
Other interested participants will fancy their chances in the 5km fun race.
Registration for all the races which was free closed yesterday afternoon and there was a special late registration for athletes coming from outside the city.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu said they were anticipating a closely contested affair.
“Stakes are high so we expect to see a mouth watering race with all the country’s best runners having registered to take part. Imagine getting a thousand dollars for just running for at least 30 minutes, that’s a lot, I’m sure all athletes will give it their best shot to take the top prize money home,” said Mpofu.
He said last year’s winner Wirimai Juwawo, Cuthbert Nyasango, Elmore Sibanda, Isaac Mpofu, Trust Chidomaya, Phathisa Ngwabi, Wellington Varevi and Nkosiyazi Sibanda will be some of the top drawer athletes that will battle it out for pole in the men’s category. In the women’s section 2012 winner Constance Nyasango and last year’s champion Olivia Chitate, have all confirmed participation.
Mpofu applauded Old Mutual for supporting local athletes by bankrolling such events and challenged spectators to come in their numbers to watch the country’s best long distance runners.
“We are grateful for what Old Mutual has done for the people of Bulawayo in terms of sponsoring athletics, we just hope other companies will copy and support development of sports in Zimbabwe. And to people of Bulawayo I urge them to come in numbers to support the athletes,” he said.
The 10km race which draws athletes from all corners of the country has a record time of 27 minutes 33 seconds that was set by Kudakwashe Shoko at the inaugural edition in 1999.
This year’s sponsorship package might go a long way in motivating the runners to break that record.
Old Mutual has availed $11 000, a thousand more than last year’s sponsorship package for the race that would start and end at Nkulumane Shopping Mall.
The winner of the main event will pocket a whooping $1 000 in both the men and the women’s races, while second and third positions will go home $750 and $500 richer respectively. Fourth placed will get $300 while the prize money for fifth place is $100.
The winner of the 10km wheel chair will get $ 600 while second and third placings go home with $300 and $100 respectively.
For the veterans, masters, grand masters section there are prizes for position one and two only which are pegged at $200 and $100. Secondary Schools athletes will battle it out for $200 for the winner, $150 for the runner-up and $100 for a third placing.
In the 5km fun race the winner will pocket $150, while the second and third positions are $100 and $50 respectively.
Online Reporter