Beitbridge mayor’s marathon on next month
THIS year’s edit i on of t he Beitbridge mayor’s anti- drugs and l it ter marathon will be held on June 16.
The event is being organised by t he Beitbridge municipalit y as part of t heir i nitiative to reduce cases of drug abuse and l it tering i n t he area.
Municipality spokesperson Mr Raniel Ndou s a i d t hey were t argeting 350 r unners and t hat t he race will be held under t he t heme: “Everyone against Drugs Abuse and Litter.”
“We are having t he race for t he t hird year running, and we are building on t he success of t he previous t wo events,” he said.
“Registration has opened at Beit br i d ge municipa l - it y of f i ces. There will be a 21km race, which will start at Lutumba Business Centre along t he Masvingo road and f i nish at Border Services stat ion i n t he CBD.
“In addition, t here will be another 12km road race, which all be held along t he same road ending at t he s a me venue. Those who cannot r un can register for a 5km power walk, which will start at Masvingo turn off, and end at t he border service station. The idea is to raise awareness against issues of drug abuse and l it tering i n our town.”
Mr Ndou s a i d t hey were mobilising resources to ensure t hat t he event i s bigger t his year.
He called on t hose i nterested i n participating to register at t he municipality offices or housing of f i ces at t heir Dulivhadzimo Housing office.
He said entry fees was $ 3 for adults while all school children’s entry will be f ree.
“Adults s hould produce national identif ication documents, and school children need to bring bir t h certif icates,” said Mr Ndou.
He appealed to businesses and other corporates to complement t he municipality’s ef for t s i n t he f i ght against drug abuse and l it tering.
Littering has become a perennial headache for t he local authority with t he town producing a total of 700 tonnes of solid waste per month.
Last year, t he marathon attracted 156 athletes and was won by veteran long distance runner Jonathan Chinyoka.
He beat over 60 at hletes after romping home i n 1 hour 10 minutes, with Nkosiyazi Si ba nda of Bla n ket Mine Athletics Club and Gilbert Mutandiro arriving one minute later i n second and t hird positions, respectively.
Mutandiro, who won t he i naugural r ace i n 1 hour 8 minutes i n 2016, was t hree minutes slower last year.
The t op t h r e e wi n ners received t rophies, medals and prize money of R1300, R1000 and R750, respectively.