THE morning air at Old Georgians Sports Club was electric yesterday as Godwin Katakura and Silvia Kwambaya claimed the top honours at the 2026 CBZ Marathon.
Katakura showcased remarkable endurance, taking the men’s title with a sharp time of 2:26:37, while Kwambaya crossed the women’s finish line in 2:57:13, securing her spot at the top of the podium. The competition remained fierce throughout, with Blessing Waison and Owen Slowly completing the men’s podium, and Ethel Pangiso and Annie Chirisa finishing second and third in the women’s race.
In the 21km race, Fortunate Chidzivo dominated the women’s field with a time of 1:20:55, about four minutes ahead of Caroline Mhandu and Mirriam Sibanda, while Isaac Langet led the men’s charge, outpacing Tendai Zimuto and Golden Mhonderwa.
The marathon wasn’t just for elites. Participants also filled the 10km, 5km, and wheelchair categories, highlighting the event’s growing inclusivity and community spirit.
A record turnout and rising momentum
With a record-breaking 3 000 participants, the CBZ Marathon continues to expand its footprint, with organisers planning a bigger and better event next year.
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“This edition went beyond our expectations,” said CBZ Group chief marketing officer Matilda Nyathi. “Many runners wanted to register, but logistics limited numbers. For 2027, we’re planning something even bigger to accommodate more of our community.”
She emphasised that the diversity of participants—from elite athletes to families and corporate teams—signals a bright future for the event.
“The energy on the day was fantastic, and it was encouraging to see families, corporate teams, and serious runners all showing up in such large numbers. The atmosphere reflected how much the event has grown and how deeply it is now embedded in the community calendar,” Nyathi said.