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THE countdown to Bulawayo’s first marathon in over 20 years has started with the country’s top athletes confirming they will participate at the inaugural Masiyephambili Marathon to be held in the city on Sunday.The marathon whose motto is “Our city, our marathon” is part of festivities to celebrate 70 years since Bulawayo was granted city status.
In a telephone interview yesterday, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) secretary-general, Dailes Bingadadi, said they had been inundated with phone calls from top athletes who were asking for registration forms.
She said most of the athletes that would attend the event are those who participated at last month’s Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Half-Marathon.
“We are approaching the home stretch in as far as preparations for the competition are concerned. As Bab, we are offering technical support and at this stage I can safely tell you that this competition is going to be bigger and better as top athletes have confirmed that they will be here. Actually we have sent some of the guys entry forms which they should be returning before registration closes on Saturday evening,” said Bingadadi.
The marathon registration fees have been pegged at $10 per athlete and $15 for relays. Registration will close on the eve of the race.
Among top female athletes that have called the Bab office are veteran Samkeliso Moyo, Tabitha Tsatsa, Rutendo Nyahora, Constance Nyasango, Matopos 33 Miller Ultra-Marathon 21km race and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Half-marathon winner in one hour 23 minutes 35 seconds Olivia Chitate, former Kujatana Nkubotu race winner Faith Nyasango and Hellen Chiundo.
Matabeleland South road runner Nkosiyazi Sibanda who came first at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo race, Olympian Cuthbert Nyasango, Wirimayi Juwawo, George Majaji, Elijah Mabhunu, Kelvin Pangiso and Zimbabwe National Army runner Leonard Koki are said to have confirmed that they will be part of the race.
The winners in the 42km race in both categories will walk away with $1 500 each while the prize money for the Half-Marathon is $600 for each of the athletes that will cross the line first in men and women’s competition.
Wheelchair athletes will compete in the 21km race with the relay meant for junior athletes. Meanwhile, the competition’s organisers and members of the Bulawayo Athletics Board led by its chairman Manuel Mpofu toured the route yesterday.
Thamsanqa Ncube, the marathon organising committee chairman, said the competition which they intend to hold every year, was in line with what other big cities in the world are doing and the route for the full marathon will pass through Bulawayo’s hospitals.
Athletes for both the 42km race and the Half-Marathon will start and finish at Luveve Stadium. After leaving the stadium, they will run past Luveve Police Station, turn left to join Luveve Road heading towards town direction.
They will pass Emakhandeni, Njube, Entumbane, Matshobana and those that will be competing in the full marathon will turn left at Mzilikazi Service Station and head to Mpilo Hospital with Half-Marathon athletes turning right at the service station into Nguboyenja.
Those participating in the 21km race will then pass Jairos Jiri, proceed to join Khami Road where they will turn right and run past Mpopoma, White City Stadium and turn right at the Hyde Park Road and Siyephambili Drive from which they will head to Luveve Road and return to the stadium.
For the 42km event, from Mpilo athletes will head to town and will use Leopold Takawira Avenue to exit the city centre until they reach the United Bulawayo Hospitals. After that they will pass Mater Dei and Ingutsheni Hospitals that are along 23rd Avenue, join Plumtree road and turn right along Siyephambili Drive at Bellevue.
They will run along Siyephambili Drive until they reach Luveve Road upon where they will turn left and head to the stadium.
Online Reporter