NRZ to hold half marathon

THE Nat National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will hold a Ra Rail Trail Charity Half Marathon at Raylton Sports Cl Club on Saturday.

The inaugural in half marathon seeks to raise funds for medical assistance and developmental programmes. programm

Registration Registr will be conducted on Thursday and Friday at Raylton Sports Club and NRZ head office.

Seniors will part with $15, while registration for juniors is $5. Races on offer are the 21km starting at 6AM, 10k 10km (6.30AM), 5km (7AM) and 1km walk (7.30AM). (7.30AM

NRZ public relations manager, Nyasha Maravanyika, said the event is meant to raise money for various charity organisations and inform people about the history of arrival of the first train in the country. “NRZ identified charity organisations and developmental programmes around the country to assist financially in order to play a corporate social responsibility. Among our targets is an orphanage in Masvingo and Deli Primary School,” said Maravanyika.

He said there are numerous chronic diseases which the initiative seeks to tackle through financial assistance. “We want to come up with something to assist the community through sports. The participants will also get medical knowledge and the importance of sports in achieving a health Zimbabwe,” Maravanyika said.

He said the institution is also celebrating the arrival of the first train in Zimbabwe and the massive development it brought to the country and region.

“Most people don’t know that the first train arrived on November 4, 1897, in Bulawayo at Hillside station. It is important to inform the public the fundamental role played by NRZ in developing the cities,” Maravanyika said.

Winners of both the male and female categories will pocket $2 000 each, while the runners-up will each get $1 000. Third place finishers will bank $500.