Stage set for Victoria Falls Marathon

AT least 5 000 people are expected to compete at the premier athletics event that draws thousands of local and international participants, Econet Victoria Falls Marathon to be held at the resort town this morning.

Zimbabwe’s top road runners are expected to headline the annual competition that also has foreign nationals battling in the elite events as well as fun races. Beside the 42.2km full marathon, other events that racers will run are the 21km half marathon and 7.5km fun race.

Veteran runner and coach Kelvin Pangiso who finished last year’s event third in two hours 19 minutes 03 seconds behind winner Jonathan Chinyoka has predicted a tough field, indicating that top foreign runners are coming for the race. Chinyoka won last year’s edition of the men’s event in a time of two hours 18 minutes 11 seconds, with Blessing Waison second 10 seconds later.

“This year it’s likely to be a bit bigger because Nedbank (Running Club) are bringing a team, then individual athletes, Namibia are bringing a big team and Zambia are also bringing a big team. We have been talking with the coaches there. So I think this year it’s going to be bigger. This year it may be tough (for me) because I was injured in January, so I am just recovering and I only had two weeks of jogging because I had already registered for the race and as an athlete, you just say let me go and try,” said Pangiso.

With Chinyoka stating that he is using the event to check on his injury recovery, Pangiso and Waison are among favourites. Patience Murove is expected to defend her women’s title after winning last year’s competition in two hours 47 minutes 32 seconds. Olivia Chitate was second in two hours 28 minutes 32 seconds while Ethel Sibanda crossed the line third in two hours 49 minutes 41 seconds.

To spice the event, organisers of the competition have come up with lucrative winners’ prize money to inspire participants. A total of US$18 000 has been set aside as prize money for the marathon, half-marathon and wheelchair participants.
Winners for the 42km men and women’s races will take away US$1 250 each, with the first runner-ups getting US$1 000, US$850 each for the athletes who finish third, US$700 for fourth positions and US$450 for fifth-placed athletes. Those who cross the line from position six to 10 will each get US$300, US$250, US$200, US$150 and US$100.

The top-10 prizes for the half-marathon are US$500, US$400, US$300, US$250, US$225, US$200, U$150, US$100, US$75 and US$50.
Only the top two will be paid in the wheelchair category, with winners of the hand cycle getting US$450 each and US$300. The same prize money will be paid for a wheelchair or tricycle.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the headline sponsor of the marathon, says this year’s event has attracted a record number of participants, after it returned last year following a two-year Covid-induced hiatus.
“We are delighted and excited to inform all our visiting athletes and participants — from wherever they may be travelling from around the world and from Zimbabwe — that everything is now in place for the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon which will be held on Sunday (July 2, 2023),” said Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Group Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Mboweni, as he extended a special welcome to both local and international athletes.

Econet has been sponsoring the prestigious race since 2009, helping to make the event one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the global sporting calendar. The Econet boss, Dr Mboweni said that the Econet Victoria Marathon event promotes physical, mental and emotional wellness. He said staging the marathon contributes to Zimbabwe’s economy, especially travel and tourism.
“The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon generates significant interest in Zimbabwe as a tourist destination, and that is something we are proud to contribute to,” he said.

The marathon attracted over 4 500 runners the last year. Forty countries were represented and this year organisers are hopeful that when the starter’s gun is heard to mark the beginning of the event over 50 countries will be there to take part. The event looks set to stay for much longer.

“The economic benefits that this event brings – both at local and macro level – is something we are pleased to be associated with, and wish to continue being a part of,” the Econet Group CEO said.
Participants to the marathon have travelled from as far afield as the Americas, Europe, Australia and the rest of Africa.

Organisers are having the 42km race as the main one but there are going to be other categories like the 21km, the popular 7.5km family fun run and a 10.5km relay.
Organisers and sponsors have done well to take care of various fitness levels by having different lengths and categories for juniors, women and those with abilities to ensure it stays Zimbabwe’s Number One Marathon.

The race activities started in Bulawayo on Tuesday with a relay undertaken by some ultra-marathon athletes who ran legs of 25km each with the Econet team and advertising portfolio managers Geronimo Advertising led by Crispien and Fungai Tanhara. – Additional Reporting by Lovemore Dube