Unchanged routes for races
NOKWANE – Runners will endure a familiar course when the Wafa Wafa Half Marathon returns in about 70 days’ time.
The event to be headlined by a 21km race will start at St George’s Army Barracks in Matsapha on April 27. Other events will be 10km and 5km long.
During the launch at Nokwane Army Headquarters outside Matsapha yesterday, Colonel Sipho Vilakati, who is the Chairperson of the race, said the main event would again start at the usual venue and the runners would race past the Airport road, Tubungu, Masundvwini and back to the starting point.
“The race is back with a bang and as the host club, we are looking to dominate the podium places.
“Through the race, we promote both friendship and fitness,” said Vilakati, who is also Athletics Eswatini (AE) Vice President.
The hosting team is Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force.
International runners from across the region are also expected to make a stop in the country for the races.
Prizes
Vilakati assured that there would be lucrative prizes for the runners and they would be announced in due course. In the last edition, prizes shot up to E6 000.
According to registration details availed during the launch, runners will pay E130, E150 and E180 for the 5km, 10km and 21km, in that order.
Registration will be done from February 26 at the host venue.
There are plans to include online registration.
Proceeds from the race, according to Vilakati, are expected to benefit the needy.
The main guest in yesterday’s festivities was Army Commander General Four Star Mashikilisane Fakudze, who assured of joining at least one of the shorter races. There were also representatives from sponsors, clubs and AE as well as Matsapha Municipality and Kwaluseni Inkhundla, among others.
Meanwhile, the AE feels that the returning Wafa Wafa Half Marathon has a potential to produce podium finishers for international races.
Chief Operations Officer (COO) Thoba Mazibuko thanked host club Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force for joining hands with the federation in producing top athletes and pushing for wellness among the Eswatini nation.
Meanwhile, after pumping in E30 000 to assist in water points, ESRIC Assistant General Manager -Corporate Services Musa Simelane, assured continued partnership and said there were plans to diversify the sponsorship in future to benefit the athletes.