Hope Fountain race on

THE annual Hope Fountain 30km race and 7,5km fun walk takes place this morning, with over 200 athletes expected to take off at the Centenary Park.

Bulwayo Athletics Board chairman, Manuel Mpofu said all is set for the race whose proceeds are donated to charity.

Last year’s winner in the men’s category, Millen Matende will however, not be part of the runners as he is in Angola for a sporting event involving the Zimbabwe National Army, which he is part of. Chiedza Chikore, who won in the senior women’s section last year, was still to register by yesterday afternoon.

Mpofu said the prizes for the top three in the men and women’s events remain the same with the first three athletes getting $300, $200 and $100 respectively.

The junior men and women’s prizes for the first place are $150, runners up are $100 and for third place is $75.

In the wheelchair section, the winners’ reward has been set at $200, with the runners up getting $150 and the prize for third place is $75.

The veterans, these being those aged 40-45, masters 50-59 and grand masters who are over 60 categories will get $125 for gold, $85 for silver and $65 for bronze.

“All is in place for the race, we are finalising registration and we are looking at more athletes taking part this year. This is a charity event with proceeds raised going to the needy,” said Mpofu.

The main race starts at 6am at the Centenary Park with the finish point being at the Hillside Dams while the 7,5 km fun walk starting at 6.30am.