Vumba, Gutu half-marathons clash

Sport
ORGANISERS of the Old Mutual Vumba 21km half-marathon race are in a dilemma, as the event clashes with the Simon Muzenda Gutu half-marathon race next month.

ORGANISERS of the Old Mutual Vumba 21km half-marathon race are in a dilemma, as the prestigious event clashes with the Simon Muzenda Gutu half-marathon race next month.

by Kenneth Nyangani

Both races would be held on October 26. Last year the Vumba half- marathon race attracted over 100 athletes from around the country. The race was won by Olympian Sharon Tawengwa in the female category, while Edwin Chimombo came first in the man’s section.

In an interview with Standardsport last week, the Manicaland Athletics Board secretary general Taurai Gatsi said it was too late to change the date saying that they would engage the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz).

“Bookings have already been made at the Leopard Rock Hotel which hosts the event every year and it is fully booked. We are still yet to engage the organisers of the Muzenda half-marathon to see if they can compromise,’’ added Gatsi.

Naaz president Tendai Tagara said that there was nothing wrong with hosting two national events on the same day saying that it was healthy for the development of the sport in the country.

“There is nothing wrong about that, in other countries they even host five or six national races on the same day. Athletes will choose where they want to participate in it’s healthy for the development of sport,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, preparations for one of South Africa’s biggest athletics events, the Bonitas City2City Marathon, are well under way.

The annual event organised by Trophy Sports Management will be held on September 29. The race has for the past years attracted athletes from Zimbabwe.

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