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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE second edition of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Half-Marathon will be held on Unity Day to celebrate the life of the veteran nationalist. Jabulani Hadebe, chief executive officer of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Trust said the race, which was introduced in the National Athletics of Association of Zimbabwe calendar in 2013 returns on December 22 after it failed to take place last year.

Matabeleland South long distance runner Nkosiyazi Sibanda won the inaugural men’s race with Olivia Chitate scooping the women’s category.

Both athletes pocketed $500 each and bicycles donated by newly elected Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube.

“The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Half-Marathon will be back in December and as part of marking the Unity Day celebrations, we’ve decided to have the race as one of the activities for the special day. It’s only befitting that we honour Umdala Wethu on Unity Day,” said Hadebe.

“Initially the athletics board had reserved July 12 for the race without consulting us because we were concentrating on the golf tournament to be held at Chapman Golf Club in Harare on July 16. After that, we’re going to start looking for partners so that the December race becomes a success and attracts top athletes like the first edition.”

The country’s top athletes, who included Olympian Wirimayi Juwawo, Elijah Mabhunu, Jonathan Chingoka, Kelvin Pangiso and Faith Nyasango, took part in the first edition of the race.

Hadebe said they will not change the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo course which starts at the late Vice-President’s Matsheumhlophe home and finishes at his Pelandaba house.