THE prestigious Old Mutual Vumba 21km half marathon race takes place this Saturday at Leopard Rock Hotel in Mutare. KENNETH NYANGANI SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
In an interview with NewsDay Sport yesterday, the Manicaland athletics board chairman Joshua Matume confirmed the race would be held this weekend.
“We are happy with the response from athletes, but at the moment, we cannot confirm the actual number who have confirmed,” he said. “This is one of the biggest races in the country and as usual we always expect the country’s top athletes, the likes of Sharon Tawengwa, Kelvin Pangiso, Jonathan Chinyoka and Rutendo Nyahora to be there.”
Last year, the race was marred by technical shortcomings in the 21km main event.
Harare-based athlete Coniscious “Navara” Nyamutsita hit the ribbon first on 57 minutes to break the world record.
When he hit the ribbon first, the officials were shocked as his time was faster than the official International Association Athletics Federation world record set by Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea in 2010 in Lisbon.
But it was later discovered that he had cut more than three kilometres due to lack of markings.
Battle-hardened athlete Nyahora and Collin Kanyimo clinched last year’s race in both male and female categories.
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Nyahora clocked 1hr 20 min 18sec, while Kanyimo was first with a good time of 1hr 9min 53sec.
Both received $1 000 each.
