Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) will be busy this afternoon registering athletes mostly from outside Bulawayo ahead of tomorrow’s Old Mutual 5km and 10km Fun Race at Nkulumane Complex.Final registration for the race will be done at Nkulumane Complex and closes at 4PM.

At least 200 runners had registered by midday yesterday and BAB is confident that the number will double by close of registration today.

It is the $1,000 winner’s purse in the men and women’s 10km race that is attracting the country’s elite runners and other hopefuls.

“Registration has been going on very well and we expect at least 500 athletes to participate in the race. As it is, 220 people have registered and since tomorrow is a weekend, we expect to have more people entering the competition,” said BAB chairman Manuel Mpofu.

“Besides top athletes, we expect the bulk of the participants to be school children and fitness enthusiasts who want to keep their bodies in shape. This race is all about fun.”

Top athletes, who include Jacob Mugomeri, Elijah Mabhunu, Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Constance Nyasango, Rutendo Nyahora, Lewis Masunda and Samukeliso Moyo have registered for the event.

Defending men’s champion Cuthbert Nyasango and his wife Faith will lead a host of out of Bulawayo athletes set to register for the race today.

Cuthbert won last year’s race in a time of 29 minutes 24.63 seconds to claim the $1,000 prize money.

He beat 2013 champion Wirimayi Juwawo, who finished second in 29 minutes 32.69 seconds.

Mabhunu was third last year, clocking 29 minutes 41.17 seconds and is one of the race favourites.

In the women’s category, Constance Nyasango was runner-up to Olivia Chitate in 34 minutes 23.71 seconds. Chitate had successfully defended her title in an improved time of 34 minutes 07.09 seconds having completed the race in 35 minutes 32.71 seconds the previous year.

Nyahora, who is married to Masunda, was third in a time of 34 minutes 58.90 seconds.

Winners of this year’s edition in both categories will each pocket $1,000 while the runners-up and third placed athletes will take home $750 and $500 respectively.

The 10km race starts and finishes at Nkulumane Complex. The route sees athletes running along Siyephambili Drive towards Tshabalala, turning right into the Rangemore Road. They then turn left to join Queen Elizabeth Road, passing through Bullet Shopping Centre, Mqamlazwe Road and then turn right at the Nkulumane 12 Roman Catholic Church to join Ntemba road.

At the Khami/Ntemba intersection robots, athletes will turn right and race back to Nkulumane Complex.

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