Unity Run on Saturday
MBABANE – Health and fitness lifestyle Coach, Zithande Athletics Club’s Nsizwa Thwala, will have his birthday celebrated in a befitting manner – a Unity Run is underway this Saturday.
This is how his birthday has been planned; runners who wish to compete in the run should be ready to conquer a 40km run and also for half the distance for those who will feel comfortable with short distance run. Thwala said the race was dubbed Unity Run as the objective was to promote running among the masses. He said the 40km was due to start at 5:30am, while the 20km will start 30 minutes later. He encouraged runners to assemble at Zakhele Sports Ground by 5am.
“This run is open to everyone, local or international runners, even if they
ABOUT THE UNITY RUN:
● 40km start at 5:30am
● 20km will start 6am.
● Runners must assemble at Zakhele sports ground by 5am.
● Every Fitness and road lover is invited.
● 50 rand for water points along the route.
are not part of Zithande Athletics Club. We will appeal to runners to contribute E50 to water points along the route,” said the coach.
“Last year it was 85km from Manzini to Big Bend (my home area) while in the previous year, it was 74km from Manzini to Hlatikhulu (my parental home),” Thwala explained.
He said in the new normal, he would be celebrating his birthday run with other athletes from other clubs. The coach revealed that despite that his birthday is on March 24, the run would be held a day later.
‘‘I was born on March 24 and the run will be on Saturday, March 25,” he said.
He disclosed that the route would start from Zakhele, pass through Ngwane Park, Nhlambeni, Sidvokodvo, Gundvwini, Lwandle, Sidzakeni, Ngwane Park and back to Zakhele. The 20km route will set off from Sidvokodvo Club, which is half way of the main route. It follows the main route to finish at Zakhele Sports Ground. Thwala has been in the forefront in the development of road running in the country. He is also an advocate for promoting sports among all gender or races. He has been a true friend of road running as he attends almost all road races and also help organise races across the country. He is the founder of Zithande Athletics Club and Operation Mkhaba Phuma Kimi Boot Camp organiser and trainer.