adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the Old Mutual Vumba Mountain Half-Marathon to be held next Saturday are now at an advanced stage. Manicaland Athletics Board boss, Joshua ‘Zesa’ Matume, said registration of athletes was already in progress at two sites – Old Mutual offices and Body Focus Gym at Meikles Retail Shop – in Mutare. “As MAB we are happy to announce that preparations for the Old Mutual Vumba Mountain 2015 Half-Marathon race are now at an advanced stage. Registration of participants is already in progress at Old Mutual offices and Body Focus Gym at Meikles Retail Shop here in Mutare.
“The race is taking place on November 14, 2015. 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 the 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, Rutendo 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.
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