Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
SOME top Zimbabwe marathon runners are expected to run a relay from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls as part of the Econet 25th Anniversary Celebrations and the Victoria Falls Marathon that takes place on Sunday morning.
The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become one of the biggest road races on the calendar. It’s fully flavoured with international athletes drawn from several countries giving locals who would ordinarily not afford travelling outside the country to get international exposure.
In an interview, Crispien Tanhara, advertising executive, of Geronimo Advertising confirmed that they had been in touch with a number of big names.
He could not disclose the list of the athletes to partake in the marathon relay yesterday as they were collating information to see who is available and has had a rest window to recover from gruelling marathons.
“As you may know, some of the big names took part in the Comrades Marathon. Those would not be available as they need to recuperate. But we have the names, we are just tidying up before we release them in a day’s time,” said Tanhara.
He said they were excited with the marathon programme starting in Bulawayo and rounding up with the feature event at the resort city of Victoria Falls.
Tanhara disclosed that they would have a send-off dinner in Bulawayo on Wednesday evening after which the athletes will take off.
“As we are counting down to the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon on July 2, what a better way than to start off with a relay from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls.
“This year once again Geronimo Advertising on behalf of Econet Wireless is conducting another relay with the Hello 25 Celebrations being top of mind! Last year the same relay was run from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls taking 5G to the Smoke that Thunders! Eight runners ran the relay,” said Tanhara.
Tanhara said with the event coinciding with Econet’s 25th Anniversary, he expects this year’s to be bigger and better in all respects.
He said each of the 12 athletes will run 25km. Some of the runners will be employees of the company.
“We are running the same route with 12 runners, each running 25km to symbolise and celebrate the 25-year anniversary. Our team of runners is comprised of Econet employees and other elite runners mainly from the Southern Region.
This team will amplify the hype of the main attraction which is the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon by stopping at towns on their way and promote the event,” said Tanhara.
There will be stopovers in Lupane, Halfway House, Hwange and ultimately Victoria Falls as they interact with the communities.
Online Reporter