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Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe will engage Econet Zimbabwe with a view of negotiating for an improved sponsorship package for this year’s edition of the Victoria Falls Marathon.The giant mobile network company yesterday announced June 28 as the date for the Victoria Falls Marathon which attracts local and foreign athletes.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Naaz first vice-president Enias Nhoro, said they would seek audience with Econet Zimbabwe tomorrow to plan for the event.

“It’s good that Econet Zimbabwe, one of the biggest companies in the country, will once again sponsor athletics but we’re yet to meet them to discuss about the race. As you are aware Naaz are the custodians of athletics and as such we provide technical personnel for all events as well as athletes. We are going to engage Econet Zimbabwe on Tuesday to find out about the purse so that our athletes know what they are running for. Hopefully they will review the prizemoney upwards,” said Nhoro.

Last year the mobile network company put $10,000 prizemoney for the Victoria Falls Marathon with the winners in men and women’s event each pocketing $800, while the second placed athletes in each category walked home with $675.

They rewarded third-placed athletes with $500, $400 for the fourth-placed athlete, $300 for position five, $200 for sixth-placed athletes and $150 for position seven.

The eighth-placed athletes got $100, with the ninth-placed walking away with $75 while the tenth-placed athletes received $50.

According to Victoria Falls Marathon website,  there were also increased prizes for those that competed in the half-marathon where the winners got $450, the first runner-up took home $325, third-placed $250, fourth-placed $200 and $150 for position five.