adminThe competition organiser and secretary of the Bulawayo Athletics Board, Dailes Bingadadi said all was set for the event.
Athletes are registering at Nkulumane, Bellevue and City Spars.
“Everything is on course at the moment. Registration has started and so far 13 athletes have registered. We are expecting more to come forward before and on Sunday.
“We are expecting about 100 athletes because last year we had about 70. We have been receiving a number of enquiries about the event and we hope that the athletes will participate,” said Bingadadi.
Some of the athletes that are expected to take part are Jonathan Chinyoka, Rutendo Nyahora, Samukeliso Moyo, Sharon Tavengwa, Elmore Sibanda, Ngonidzashe Ncube and Gerald Mutandirwa.
Other athletes will come from Hwange, Ziscosteel, Freda Rebecca Mine, Mutare and Harare.
She said accommodation for the athletes had been sorted and that they were inviting people to register.
Athletes will be accommodated at Founders High School with the sponsors of the race paying for their stay.
Last year the competition was sponsored to the tune of R52 000 which included prize money and the donations.
The winners of last year’s competition were awarded R3 500 in the senior men and women’s category, R1 500, R1 000 and R500 for the second, third and fourth respectively.
Wirimai Juwawo won last year’s competition in 27 minutes 01 seconds.
Lewis Masunda who was then the defending champion came second in 27 minutes 35.62 seconds and Elijah Mabhunu was third in 27 minutes 58.88 seconds.
Masunda’s course record of 28 minutes 01 seconds was bettered by Juwawo during that race.
In the senior women’s category Sharon Tavengwa romped home in 32 minutes 06.48 seconds while Rutendo Nyahora was second in 32 minutes 25.16 seconds and Loveness Madziba was
third 0.40 seconds slower in 32 minutes 25.56 seconds.
In the junior men Raymond Kudakwashe won the race in 30 minutes 10.92 seconds with Pamela Gwebu grabbing the top prize in the women’s category in 35 minutes 01.28 seconds.
The Nkulumane Road Race starts at Nkulumane Spar, passes through the Fire Station, down Siyephambili Road, towards Plumtree Road and they make a U-turn at the traffic lights near Bellevue Spar and back to their starting point.
Online Reporter