Sunshine Marathon

Marathon tomorrow.
A dozen Namibians are also expected to challenge the local athletes for the rich pickings.
However, for the visitors to capture the historic title, they will have to beat 3-time Comrades Marathon champion and local star Stephen Muzhingi.
Muzhingi confirmed his participation and will line up at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow morning.
Kaptanui Koech Siraji, David Kiplagat Kuino, Julius Kiplimo Maisei, David Kiprono Langat, Stanley Tarus, Joseph Kipngetich Maritim, Nelly Jepchirchir and Rebecca Jematia arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday night.
The 12 Namibians are expected to arrive today while athletes from South Africa, China, Canada, Japan and USA were expected to arrive between late yesterday and today.
Mbunguha Vetisee, Ottilie Aimwata, Rachel Akukothela, Anna Amutoko, Osca Komeya, Hohaness Naitembu, Alina Armas, Kuugongelwa Uveni-nawa, Helaria Johaness, Gabriel Shokonawa, Helaria Johaness were expected from Namibia.
Zimbabwe is throwing in veteran long distance runner, Mike Fokorani who is hoping to romp to victory tomorrow.
“The race is definitely going to be challenging but I hope that we are going to have a good time.
“The course is flat and we are going to do our best as Zimbabweans considering that we will be at home. I expect to register a good time in this race,” said Fokorani.
Another local runner Gilbert Mutandiro said it was good that local sponsors have come up with the Sunshine City marathon as it will give a platform for local athletes to showcase their talent.
“It is a good thing to have our own big race in our country. I am promising fireworks and I hope to finish in the top three.
“Now that we have a local race with a big prize money we can make a living in our own country as we were depending on races being held outside the country,” said Mutandiro.
Kenyan athlete Julius Maisei said they were looking forward to a competitive event.
“I have been to a number of international races and I know the competition is going to be very high. I know I am going to face tough competition from my colleagues.
“There is also Muzhingi from here and he is also strong. I believe everyone who is going to compete is a winner,” said Maisei.
Koech said he was happy with the state of preparedness by the organisers.
“The fact that the race has athletes from other countries is a good boost. The competition is going to be high and competitive,” said Koech.
Marko Mambo, who was scheduled to compete in this race but pulled out because of an injury, said the marathon was a massive boost for local athletes who have been participating in competitions outside the country.
“It means a lot to the athletes because since I was young I never thought of such a big marathon being held here in Zimbabwe.
“We feel excited about the race because if it continues, upcoming athletes will also have a chance to showcase their talent.
“When the organisers invite foreign athletes like this, it is good because we can also meet our friends we compete with when we go outside the country. But I believe a Zimbabwean will scoop the top prize,” said Mambo.
The winner, in both the men and women categories, will walk away with US$10 000 while the first runner-up will pocket US$4 000 and the second runner-up will get US$2 000.
Speaking at a Press conference held the National Sports Stadium yesterday, XHIB-IT events management company executive director, Rebecca Gambiza, said: “We are really excited about the Sunshine City marathon. We are grateful to SRC and NAAZ and others who came on board.
“Our target was 5 000 athletes but we are happy that so far we have more than 2 000 athletes.
“We also have athletes from other countries.
“We are saying now we have a marathon at home and it is here to stay.
“We have five more races lined up starting in October because, instead of having one event we want to keep the athletes training,” added Gambiza.
Sports Commission director general, Charles Nhemachena, hailed the organisers for coming up with the marathon.
“We do not have many marathon races, something we really have been missing on our calendar. These are the events we have been looking for and we are grateful to the organisers.
“For our sport to be a success we really need the support of our sponsors. This has our full endorsement. The race may start as a small event but what we want to see as SRC is the sport growing,” said Nhemachena.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke, said sport played a vital role in tourism and there was need to support it.
“Sport plays a major role in tourism. In actual fact we can not separate sport from tourism.
“We are very grateful for having this opportunity to taking part in this marathon. Tourism cannot do without sport,” said Kaseke.
The Sunshine City marathon is Zimbabwe’s newest race and is tipped to become one of Africa’s major sporting events.
The race will start at the National Sports Stadium and then move into Harare Drive before entering the Bluff Hill Area. The route goes to Marlborough, Mt Pleasant, Hatcliffe turn-off and then Sam Levy Village, towards Gunhill.
From Gunhill, the course goes to Newlands round-about and follows Enterprise Road, turns right into Samora Machel Avenue to the finishing point at the National Sports Stadium.