adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
OLD Mutual have increased their sponsorship package for the Nkulumane Fun Run to $11,000.
This was revealed by the organisers at a press conference held in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
The Sunday event set for Nkulumane Complex was sponsored to the tune of $10,000 last year.
Old Mutual regional manager Margaret Vera said they were happy because the race was getting bigger with each passing year.
“This is the third edition of the Nkulumane Fun Run and we are happy that the race continues to grow,” she said.
The first female and male home is set to receive $1,000 each.
She said spnsoring the race was part of her organisation’s programme of giving back to the community they serve in Nkulumane and other parts of the country.
“As Old Mutual we believe we have a responsibility to the communities we operate in and this is just a small token of appreciation. The objective of hosting the Nkulumane Fun Run is to promote well being and fun. A healthy population can only contribute positively to the development of its country,” said Vera.
The race is in two categories, the main race being the 10km open race and a 5km fun run. Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) chairperson Manuel Mpofu said the free registration was a welcome development as it allows those interested in participating in the race to do so regardless of their social status.
“We want everyone from Grade Zero to the oldest man and woman to participate in either jogging, walking and running. This is a Bulawayo event and we expect residents to come in their numbers.”
Kudakwashe Shoko is the record holder of the 10km race with a time of 27 minutes 33 seconds that was set in the inaugural event in 1999.
Last year Rutendo Nyahora and Wirimai Juwawo won the women and men’s race respectively. Mpofu said they expect this year’s attendance to surpass last year’s when 300 athletes participated.
derick.khumalo