PREPARATIONS for the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon are on course with the organisers having incorporated a schools 21km challenge this year as they aim to promote healthy living.
Marathon corporate brand officer Bhekimpilo Ntini said there were awards for the schools and corporate challenge.
“Last year, we had the corporate challenge and this year we have included the schools challenge. It is meant to promote marathon running within schools as well as promote healthy living. These will be awarded separately,” he said.
He said for the corporates, who will be in teams of five each, they will award the first three with handsets while schools will be awarded with computers and Internet dongles.
The marathon is sponsored to the tune of $11 000. Ntini said the athletes would be informed of the prize money just before the event.
Last year Nkosiyazi Sibanda, who won, the 42km race in 2hr 19mins 11seconds walked away with $800, Mike Fokoroni who came in second in 2hr 22mins 6secs got himself $675 and Peter Mabvura who came in third in 2hr 24mins 32secs to received $500.
In the women’s category Monica Kativhu took the title in 3hr 8mins 21secs and the $800 prize money beating United States’ Elizabeth Arens who clocked 3hr 18mins 40secs and veteran long-distance athlete Margaret Mahohoma in 3hr 26mins 20secs. The prize money was the same with the men.
Every participant will receive complementary T-shirts and medals will also be given out.
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Ntini said registration this year has been overwhelming and that they are expecting more people to participate in this year’s marathon, half marathon and fun run.
“Usually people want to do things in the last minute. This time we have a good number of people that has already registered. We already have about 1 000 people and we are expecting more. Last year we had 1 300 people participating,” he said.
He added that this year’s fun run is sponsored by Ecosure.
