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NewsDay

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Large field expected for Vicoria Falls Marathon

Sport
THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon gets underway tomorrow morning with more than 1 000 athletes expected to take part in the race.

THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon gets underway tomorrow morning with more than 1 000 athletes expected to take part in the race.

BY THANDIWE MOYO

Athletes, both local and foreign, will take part in the main 42,4km event, 21,2km half marathon, 7,5km fun run and this year the organisers have incorporated a schools and corporates challenge.

Last year’s winner Nkosiyazi Sibanda is expected to participate in the event. He has won the race three times — 2012 to 2014.

Last year, the long-distance athlete walked away with $800 and this year the winner of the race gets $900. Sibanda won the race in 2012 in 2:23:25secs and followed that up with 2hrs 19mins 11secs in 2013 and last year clocked 2hrs 20mins 58secs.

vic falls marathon

In the women’s category Monica Kativhu took the title last year in 3hrs 08mins 21secs and the $800 prize money beating United States’ Elizabeth Arens who clocked 3hrs 18mins 40secs and veteran long-distance athlete Margaret Mahohoma in 3hrs 26mins 20secs.

Athletes who are expected to take part in the race include Mike Fokoroni, Leonard Koki, Lyno Muchena, Gilbert Mutandiro, Michael Ngaaseke, Collin Parura, Charles Soza and Kudakwashe Kanduna while Monica Kativhu, Margaret Mahohoma, Olivia Chitate, Constance Nyasango and Rabia Filima could participate.

The race has attracted athletes from Zambia, South Africa, the United States, Botswana and Australia among other countries. Besides the full marathon, athletes will also compete in the half marathon, schools and corporates challenge and fun run sponsored by Ecosure.

Awards will be given to corporates who will be in teams of five each, based on the aggregate of their best three participants.

The five participants of each of the winning three teams will receive a handset, airtime, simpack and a trophy while for the schools challenge the first three teams will receive a desktop, dongle, simpack, data and a trophy.

Every participant who finishes the race will receive complementary T-shirt. Medals will also be given out.