Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
ONE hundred and seventy-four athletes have registered for the inaugural Beitbridge Mayor’s Marathon to be held in the border town on Saturday morning.

The event is being staged by the Beitbridge Athletics Club and jointly coordinated by the Beitbridge Town Council and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

The race will be held under the theme “Running against litter”.

Beitbridge Town Council spokesperson Raniel Ndou yesterday said preparations for the race were at an advanced stage.

He said the event would be run over 21,1KM starting at Lutumba Business Centre and ending at Border Service Station in the town centre.

“We will also have a 10KM race from Chicago Business Centre and a 5KM fun walk starting from the Masvingo road turn off and ends in the CBD. All the races will start at 7AM. We have mobilised prizes and also lined up a number of entertainment activities for both children and adults on the day,” said Ndou.

He said the race would be divided into three categories, juniors (16-20 years), seniors (21-39 years) and veterans (40 years and above).

The marathon was aimed at raising awareness against littering around the town and on major highways leading to either Bulawayo or Harare.

He said the level of littering around town was worrisome, hence the need to rope in local stakeholders to tackle the problem.

“We have invited pupils from local secondary schools to participate in the races. Beitbridge is the preface to the country and it’s important for us to present a clean environment and good picture to visitors coming in from South Africa,” he said.

Those interested in taking part in the marathon should contact the Beitbridge Town Council before 6AM on Saturday.

He said those that can’t run will start cleaning the road from Masvingo turn off up to the finishing point.