Wheelchair athletes dropped from Mzee half-marathon

Gutu half marathon set for Mupandawana on Saturday.
This is the first time that the wheelchair section has been left out since the race was started 16 years ago as the Gutu Half-Marathon.

Organisers of the road race have failed to secure sponsors for this category and top wheelchair athlete Edmund Makutya, who had been hoping to use to the Muzenda Memorial race as part of his preparations for the Soweto Marathon said the outcome was unfortunate.
“Its very unfortunate because we had been hoping to take part as we have done over the years.

“I was even willing to take part even without a prize because it was a platform to prepare for the Soweto race.
“Anywhere, I hope it will be reconsidered next year if we are still alive,” said Makutya.
Race co-ordinator Titus Madzingo yesterday said they had failed to find a sponsor for this category of athletes with disabilities but remains confident that the omission of the wheelchair athletes will not take the gloss off the competition.

“We do not have a category for wheelchairs this year and its sad because we could not find a sponsor.
“What we have is that sponsors are supporting different categories but unfortunately we have nothing for the wheelchair racers.
“Our money comes from sponsors but if we get a sponsor today, we can have the category.

“As it stands, we do not have them.
“Last year we had a great race with over 500 people taking part but this year we want to make it a super race.

“The prizes are still being worked out but we are targeting not less than US$2 000 for the winner in the main race. Prizes in the main race will be given to the top 10 while for the secondary schools we want to give the top 30,” said Madzingo.

The race, which will be part of commemorations for the ninth anniversary of the death of Vice President Muzenda, will start at Guzha Primary School and finish at Paradise Motel.
“We are starting at the usual point while the 10km race will be along the route. The 10km race is for the Under-20 while the primary school athletes will take part in the 5km run.
“Some excitement is likely to come from the relays in the 21km where we expect more than 20 teams to field their athletes in the Under-20 for both boys and girls,” said Madzingo.

The first three runners in the relay will pass the baton after 5km while the anchor will complete 6km.
Madzingo is hopeful that the race will attract some of the household names in local road racing with defending champion Luwis Masunda, Kudakwashe Shoko, Wirimai Juwawo and the Jonathan Chinyoka expected to take part.

Sharon Taengwa won the women’s category last year with Rutendo Nyahora behind and Muchaneta Gwata finishing third.