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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
LONG distance female athlete Olivia Chitate yesterday won the 10km Liquor Hub Fun Run for the fourth straight year after crossing the finish line in 36 minutes 18 seconds.
Chitate’s finishing time yesterday was slower than the 34 minutes 35 second she ran last year. The 34-year old’s record time for the event is 35 minutes 19 seconds which she ran in 2019.
“I am pleased to have won the race once again and made history for myself by winning the competition four times now. I came here as the defending champion and l am happy l retained the title. It’s also special because l get to close the year with a victory,” said Chitate.
Caroline Mhandu finished second with a time of 36 minutes 46 seconds and Emmilia Mukunguta settled for third position when she finished the race in 37 minutes and 56 seconds.
Chitate, who represents Zimbabwe Republic Police, walked away R 3 500 richer. The same amount was given to Wellington Varevi who won the race in the men’s category ahead of Munyaradzi Zinhou.
In third place was Moses Tarakinyu who went into the race as the defending champion.
Elford Moyo of Danhiko won the men’s wheelchair section in 27 minutes 08 seconds shrugging off challenge from Munyaradzi Kakyo, who clocked 27 minutes 09 seconds.
In the women’s wheelchair section the winner was Stella Jongwe in 38 minutes 27 seconds with Thandiwe Ndlovu in second position after finishing in 39 minutes and 13 seconds.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman, Watson Madenyika, expressed gratitude to Liquor Hub proprietor Raj Modi, who is also the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce and MP for Bulawayo South, for sponsoring the race.
“We are thankful to Raj Modi for his continued sponsorship of the race. This was our final event of the year and we hope the sponsorship will continue for years to come,” said Mpofu.
Guest of honour during the prize presentation Dave Simba said he had been assured by the sponsor that the race is going international next year.
“Next year the competition is going to be bigger in all aspects as the sponsor has said he wants to elevate it to an international event,” said Simba. — @innocentskizoe
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