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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
INDEPENDENT runner Canicious Nyamutsa won the men’s Old Mutual Nkulumane 10km Fun Run held at the Nkulumane Complex in Bulawayo yesterday.

The long distance runner, who recently clinched the JM Busha 21km race in Harare, clocked 29 minutes 26 seconds to take the $500 prize money.

The Old Mutual Nkulumane 10km Fun Run attracted a host of seasoned runners, including Kadoma-based Jacob Mugomeri of Zimpost, who came second in 29 minutes 35 seconds and won himself $400, while Misheck Sithole (29 min 51s) was third.

In the women’s category, Bertha Chikanga romped to victory in 35 minutes 15 seconds, with Rudo Mhondero finishing second in 35 minutes 18 seconds and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) runner Patience Garauzive beating defending champion Olivia Chitate of ZRP for third place.

Nyamutsa (25) said he would be building on his performance to get more victories in future races and hopefully represent Zimbabwe in the Olympics.

“Running uphill was quite easy for me and I think it helped me a lot to keep abreast with the leading pack. With 2km to go, I just saw myself making a surge and I held on until the finish line,” said Nyamutsa.

Chikanga (20) was happy to win at the first attempt and to complete the race in 35 minutes.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman Manuel Mpofu said the race was a great success as participants increased by close to half of those that took part last year.

“In 2015 we had 520 people competing and the figure rose to 730 last year and we are happy that this year there were 1 065, a target we had set ourselves last year,” said Mpofu.

“We are also glad to announce that our sponsors agreed to turn the event into a half-marathon and next year we are going to have a 21km race, which will hopefully help us attract more athletes,” he Mpofu.