adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE inaugural Bonaqua marathon comes to life tomorrow at Old Georgians Sports Club with several of the country’s top long distance athletes expressing their interest in taking part in the race. The 42km marathon is the main event but there is also the 21km race, 10km and 5km fun run. The race is being sponsored by Coca-Cola and their bottling partners Schweppes Zimbabwe while Harare Athletics Club are managing the event.
Besides veteran runner Mike Fokorani, who has declared his interest to win the title, Portipher Dombojena, a seasoned runner in his own right, is also hoping to be among the top athletes tomorrow.
“There are many top athletes coming, the likes of Collen Makaza and Mike Fokorani. These are very strong athletes because they are preparing for the Comrades Marathon and this race came their way, they can easily tackle it. I mean they are preparing for 90km and this is less than half of what they are going to compete in at the Comrades Marathon. But I will give them a good run for their money and usually when we compete we push each other, we do it together,” said Dombojena.
In the women’s section Monica Kativu is also going for the 42km race although she said it’s basically to prepare for Comrades. “I am just taking it as training for Comrades. I am taking it as my long run, so I am not really competing for the prize. I will actually be coming from Domboshava where I have been training with some juniors from that side.
“And also we have Mike Fokorani, who is helping with the long run. He has been to Comrades marathon several times. So for me I am looking more on the training side of it,” Kativu said.
HAC club captain Dereck Sigauke said they are looking forward to an exciting event with almost a full complement of top athletes anticipated to be part of the race.
Other athletes likely to be part of race are Lyno Muchena, Jonathan Chinyoka, Gilbert Mutandiro and veteran runner Samukeliso Moyo. With most of the top athletes preparing for Comrades marathon, the club has made an arrangement for those who want to go beyond 42km.
Sigauke also said they are excited with the coming in of Coca-Cola and their bottling partner Schweppes Zimbabwe as it contributes to the growth of the sport.
The top male and female athletes in the 42km race will get $1 000 while for 21km they will receive $300.
Registration for the race was opened yesterday and closes today.
Online Reporter