Pacific Cigarettes have come on board as the title sponsors of the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) Mountain Valley Marathon, adding significant corporate backing to an event which organisers believe could become one of the biggest fixtures on Zimbabwe’s marathon calendar.
The inaugural event is scheduled for September 26 at the Montclair Resort & Conference Hotel in Nyanga, with preparations gathering momentum as runners, corporate teams, families and wellness enthusiasts jostle for places.
More than 1 000 participants are expected to take part in the event, which RTG is positioning not only as a sporting competition, but also as a vehicle for promoting wellness, family recreation and tourism in the Eastern Highlands.
Pacific Cigarettes, through its corporate social investment programme, has joined the marathon as title sponsor, with the company stating that the partnership reflects its commitment to community wellness and social responsibility.
“This September 26th, Pacific Breeze is proud to join hands with Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) in a powerful wellness campaign for the ultimate marathon experience,” the company said.
“Two brands, one shared vision to drive positive, healthy impact.”
The marathon will feature four distances – 3km, 5km, 10km and 21km – making it accessible to participants across different age groups and fitness levels, from children and recreational walkers to seasoned runners looking for a demanding mountain challenge.
RTG’s corporate affairs and quality manager, Pride Khumbula, said the event was deliberately designed to bring together sport, tourism and entertainment in one of Zimbabwe’s most scenic destinations.
- Pacific cigarettes back Nyanga wellness race
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“Mountain Valley Marathon is more than a race. It is an opportunity to bring people together around wellness, family recreation, tourism and entertainment in one of Zimbabwe’s most beautiful destinations,” Khumbula said.
“With distances ranging from 3km to 21km, everyone can participate at a level that suits their age, experience and fitness.
“RTG is particularly encouraging companies and organisations to register their employees and marathon teams.
“The event offers an excellent platform for team building, staff wellness and engagement outside the workplace.”
The marathon is being organised by RTG in partnership with seasoned race organisers Musabvunda, who will provide professional race management and oversee the safety and coordination of the races.
The event has also attracted a number of partners, including Defined Media, Passion Events, Stanbic Bank and ColourMart Solutions.
However, organisers are keen to ensure that the marathon is more than just a few hours of running.
RTG has packaged the event as a complete family weekend, encouraging participants to travel to Nyanga with their families and take advantage of the area's attractions while enjoying the Eastern Highlands.
A Zumba session will follow the races, while children will have access to pony rides, jumping castles and organised games.
Entertainment will run throughout the day, before the weekend culminates in an evening concert headlined by the award-winning Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah.
“This will be a packed weekend of wellness and musical pleasure,” Khumbula said.
“Participants can challenge themselves on the course, enjoy activities with their families and end the day with one of Zimbabwe’s leading performers.”
The marathon also comes at an important time for RTG's flagship Nyanga property, the Montclair Resort & Conference Hotel, which has undergone a US$2 million refurbishment programme.
The refurbishment has transformed the hotel's guest rooms, bathrooms, public areas, restaurant and supporting infrastructure, while its capacity has been increased from 85 to 110 rooms through the conversion and optimisation of previously underutilised spaces.
Participants in the marathon will therefore be among the first guests to experience the refurbished rooms, which feature contemporary finishes, modern amenities and enhanced guest technology.
Expecting a large influx of runners, corporate teams and families, RTG, through its subsidiary Gateway Stream Rooms, has also partnered with additional accommodation providers across Nyanga to increase the number of available beds during the marathon weekend.
Visitors are encouraged to book early through Gateway Stream Rooms or RTG Central Reservations to secure their accommodation.
Beyond the races, the event is expected to boost tourism in Nyanga, which has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.
Visitors can take advantage of mountain walks, hiking trails, mountain biking, trout fishing, horse riding and excursions to Mount Nyangani – Zimbabwe’s highest mountain.
Adventure seekers can also explore the SkyWalk and zipline overlooking the dramatic landscape around Mtarazi Falls.
At approximately 772 metres, Mtarazi Falls is Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall and is recognised as the second-highest in Africa. Other local attractions include Nyangombe Falls, World's View, Pungwe Gorge and the extensive forests, rivers and mountain landscapes of the Eastern Highlands.
RTG believes the marathon can help strengthen sports tourism by encouraging visitors to combine participation in a major wellness event with accommodation, recreation and destination experiences.
The event also comes as Zimbabwe's tourism sector continues to explore ways of broadening the country's offering beyond traditional sightseeing, with sporting events increasingly providing opportunities to attract visitors and generate activity for hospitality businesses.
The event will take place on September 26 at the Montclair Resort & Conference Hotel, with the 3km, 5km, 10km and 21km races forming the centrepiece of a weekend combining sport, wellness, family entertainment, tourism and music.
The evening concert featuring Jah Prayzah is expected to provide the final highlight as runners and visitors trade their race bibs for dancing shoes.
