Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Inaugural edition of the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) half marathon held at the institution yesterday was a huge success with the event managing to attract some of the top long distance runners in the country.
The event hosted by ZSM was meant to raise funds which will be channeled towards drilling four boreholes at the school.
Veteran long distance runner Moses Tarakinyu won the 21km race crossing the finish line in 1 hour four minutes and 41 seconds.
Following the victory, Tarakinyu said he was happy to be the first ever winner of the new race.
“The terrain was good. Water were well placed and this being the first edition, this race can only grow bigger,” said Tarakinyu.
Tendai Zimuto who managed a second place finish was four seconds behind Tarakinyu with a time 1 hour four minutes and 46 seconds.
It was a tightly contested race between the two athletes.
Annie Chirisa won the ladies 21 km race. She finished with a time of 1 hour 21 minutes and 45 seconds.
Chiedza Chakora finished in second position with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes and 32 seconds.
Chirisa said: “I am happy to have won this race. As an athlete l am grateful to ZMS for organising this race.It had been a while since we had a race in Bulawayo.”
Hopefully we have more of these races in the city.
Stella Jongwe came first in the ladies’ wheelchair 21 km race finishing in 1 hour 32 seconds.
She was thrilled with the victory.
“It was a good race. Im happy to have won,” said Jongwe.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman Watson Madanyika took time to thank the sponsors.
“I would like to take this opportunity to point out how grateful lam to the Zimbabwe School of Mines who have made this event see the light of day by sponsoring it,” said Madanyika.
— @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter