Old Mutual race preps underway

REGISTRATION for this year’s edition of the Old Mutual Nkulumane Fun Run has started ahead of race set for Sunday.

Scores of participants have already shown interest in the race whose registration is free, and already underway at Old Mutual and CABS offices in the city centre as well as in Nkulumane.

Registration which started last Friday will climax at Old Mutual and CABS at 11.30am while it closes at 4pm in Nkulumane on Saturday. Categories include the open race, masters, juniors, veterans, grandmasters and wheelchair. The races will be run over five and 10 kilometres respectively. To encourage people to participate, the first 100 students to register will get T-shirts while it is the same for the first 400 athletes to show an interest in taking part in the fun run.

Elijah Mabhunu from Harare won the men’s category, the main 10km race while Olivia Chitate also from the capital city was the women’s winner. The two each pocketed $1 000 for coming out on tops. Seasoned athletes have taken part in the fun run because of the lucrative perks on offer for the main race.

Speaking at a Press conference to launch last year’s event, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company southern region manager Margaret Vera pointed out that the purpose of holding the Nkulumane Mall Fun Run was to promote well being and fun as well as increasing awareness about Nkulumane Shopping Mall, which had abundant secure parking. The fun run starts and ends at the Old Mutual owned Nkulumane Shopping Mall.

Brought back to life in 2012 by the international investment, savings, and insurance as well as banking group, the race is sanctioned by National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe through Bulawayo Athletics Board and is held under the International Associations of Athletics Federations rules and regulations.