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Ray Bande in Vumba
BLACK Rhinos’ long-distance runner Moses Tarakinyu and his female counterpart Fortunate Chidzivo are this year’s Old Mutual Vumba half marathon winners.
Tarakinyu completed the 21km race in 1 hour, 9 minutes 15 seconds.
In winning the 2024 edition of the race, battle-hardened Tarakinyu also broke his own record, set back, in 2022.
In second position was Kenyan Isaac Langcet, who crossed the finish line in 1 hour 9 minutes 52 seconds while last year’s winner Blessing Waison was third in 1 hour, 11 minutes 36 seconds.
In the ladies’ category, Chidzivo romped home in 1 hour 26 minutes 23 seconds to win the tightly contested 21km race.
Caroline Mhandu came second with a time of 1 hour 29 minutes 27 seconds, while Phillipa Dube settled for third position after completing the race in 1 hour 30 minutes 11 seconds.
In his prize presentation speech, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara thanked the sponsors of the event Old Mutual for sparing resources for the promotion of athletics.
Tagara, who was re-elected as the leader of NAAZ in Gweru on Saturday, said they were happy with the performance of athletes representing the country in international competitions.
“We want to thank Old Mutual for their support. It is a commendable gesture that goes a long way in improving the standards of the sport. After having been our partner for the past 11 years, we still look forward to many more years of a healthy working relationship with our sponsor — Old Mutual.
“This is one of the major reasons we are performing very well in global and regional competitions as a country. We all know how our representatives performed well in the recent Olympics in Paris.
“These achievements are a product of such events like the one we are having here,” said Tagara.
Old Mutual Group Customers Operations Officer Isiah Mashinya, emphasised his company’s commitment to health and wellness in communities around the country.
Mashinya said the event’s significance goes beyond just being a mountain run.
“Congratulations to every one of the participants of this event. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to health and wellness are truly inspiring.
“It is uplifting to see how the Vumba (half) Marathon is becoming a meeting point for runners from diverse back-grounds.
“The Vumba Marathon’s significance goes beyond just being a race as it embodies our brand promise to unify our communities and create a better future for all,” he said.
Online Reporter