Zimpapers Logo

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
UP TO 1,500 athletes are expected to participate in tomorrow’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon in the resort town, with organisers expecting more people to register today.

By end of day yesterday, 1,382 athletes from 39 countries had submitted their registration forms and event coordinators said they expect the country’s top runners to beat today’s 4PM deadline.

Race organisers Wild Frontiers and Adventure Zone pitched tents at Kingdom Hotel for last minute registration which closes today at 4PM.

Last year 1,400 took part in the competition which was won by veteran Blanket Mine runner Nkosiyazi Sibanda, who has dominated the race, winning on four consecutive occasions.

The event sponsorship manager Debbie Harrison said it is all systems go for the event.

“We’ve a total of 1,382 pre-entries for this 10th edition of the marathon and final registration closes tomorrow (today) at 4PM. No entries will be allowed on the day of the event,” she said.

Harrison said the final number of participants will be known today.

The annual event will see athletes battling it out in the 42.2km marathon, the 21.2km half-marathon and the 7.5km fun-run.

Harrison was happy with the response that they got from foreign participants.

“We’ve 39 countries that will be represented so far from every continent and we’re happy about the great support especially from neighbouring countries. The event wouldn’t have been a success without support of the Victoria Falls community that has given its services voluntarily, claiming ownership of the event,” she said.

Organisers have set aside $11,000 prize money to be distributed across all categories.

Zimbabwean participants will pay $10 to compete in the race, Botswana and Zambia’s nationals’ registration fee is $20 while other nationalities will part with $40 to register for the event.

EcoSure fun runners were paying $3 to enter, said Harrison.

All competitions will start at Victoria Falls Post Office car park with the full marathon taking off at 6.45AM, with the half-marathon starting 30 minutes later.

The fun run will start at 8.15AM and all competitions will end at Victoria Falls Primary School.