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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
LOCALS wishing to take part in this year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon have been given a sigh of relief after organisers of the race decided that they will accept payment for entries in RTGS dollars, albeit at what they described as market prices rate in June.
The move by the race directors follows an earlier announcement that entry into the competition will be paid for in United States Dollars only. Seeing how scarce foreign currency is in Zimbabwe, locals will be able to pay their entry fees via EcoCash as from 1 June.
A statement sent out by the marathon organisers said they will continue to accept credit/debit card payments and direct bank transfers for all runners including Zimbabweans and any payments already received via EcoCash by Zimbabwe citizens have been accepted. The EcoCash payment option on online entries was shut down on 20 March and will only re-open on 1 June.
“For Zimbabwe citizens only, the organisers will withhold 100 full marathon entries, 500 half marathon entries and 400 fun run entries. These entries will be made available from 1 June. On 1 June, the EcoCash payment option will be re-opened, but will only be available to Zimbabwe citizens,’’ read part of the statement.
Further, the online entry portal will continue to accept EcoCash payments from 1 June, until all entry numbers are sold. According to the race organisers, the RTGS dollar rate from 1 June will be set as per ruling market prices. They indicated that the decision to put these provisions in place was not taken lightly and have been done so in an effort to continue delivering a world-class event.
Earlier on this month, when online entries opened, locals wishing to run the full and half marathons were required to pay US$15 while those aspiring to run the 7,5km were asked to fork out US$5. Entries this year are limited with the maximum figures being 800 for the full marathon, 1 850 for the half marathon and 1 000 for the 7,5km fun run.
The organisers said they were limiting the numbers on route for both safety and security reasons in terms of the routes carrying capacity as they do not have full road closure. In addition, only a certain number of runners can cross the bridge at a time without causing a bottle neck.
Last year, a total of 3 489 runners took part in the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, these coming from over 54 countries. Zimbabwe had the highest number with 1 913. In fact the numbers could have been well over 4 000 but some of those who had pre-registered and paid did not fetch their race numbers. — @Mdawini_29
Online Reporter