Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
THIS year’s Binga Kasambabezi Half marathon promises to be a run for the money that will attract big names, with the country’s top runners set to contest alongside the best from neighbouring countries.
The competition, in its sixth edition, will be held in Binga on Sunday. The 21 kilometre race will start and finish at Binga’s Freedom Square. Apart from the long 21KM run, there are also the 5 and 10KM races. Having been reduced from the initial 42 kilometre stretch as a full marathon, the race has not lost its appeal, as organisers confirmed they were expecting more than 1 000 athletes to participate.
Of these, there are many big names in the sport that have been confirmed, according to the race’s organising secretary Tinashe Mudetwe. He said in the 2022 edition they had 1058 athletes and they foresee the number increasing.
“The Binga Kasambabezi Half Marathon is on this weekend. This time we are running 21kilometres. We are however proud to say that even if we are having a half marathon, still there is a lot of interest from runners. Judging by the number of entrants so far, over 1 000 runners are expected to compete. There are a couple of these athletes from across the country in Botswana and Zambia who have already registered,” said Mudetwe. Leading banking and financial services concern, AFC Holdings will provide prizes for the 10 and 21KM races. Other sponsorship prizes are to be provided by a local business leader Susan Kapotwe and Super Income Investments who will support the 10KM wheelchair race.
Mudetwe said in a first in local athletics, this time the Binga Kasambabezi Half Marathon will promote wildlife conservation efforts done by various entities in the Zambezi valley.
He said the race will be held under the theme ‘Running for our wildlife conservation’.
“As a sport event being held at the heart of wildlife and other nature conservancies, including on the sidelines of the Zambezi River, we thought it wise to use the race to call out to communities to value wildlife and to live in harmony with nature. Sport has the capacity to relay this information fast. We want to campaign for that,” said Mudetwe. The race was one that can be used to promote Binga as a prime tourism destination.
Previously, the race has been graced by seasoned marathoners Mike Fokorani, Lynos Muchena, Isaac Mpofu, Nkosiyazi Sibanda and Kelvin Pangiso.
In a recent interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) president Tendai Tagara advised athletes to take part in such races so as to keep in check their finishing times, as they prepare for international ones.
“There is no race big or small. The Binga Kasambabezi Half Marathon is one such platform where a serious athlete will try to be. What is important is for our athletes to prepare. The more the preparations, the better the chances of winning and finishing at good times,” he said.
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