The ManicaPost
Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter
MANICALAND marathon runners are preparing to leave a mark at the Mandela Day Marathon to be held on August 27-28 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Two Manicaland marathon runners, Lyono Muchena and Collins Kanyimo, will be joining the
Zimbabwean team in South Africa on the day for the 42,2km marathon race.
Muchena said they had encountered problems with sponsorship for their trip to South Africa for the event, but they have Tino Machakaire, owner of Tinmac Motors to thank for his helping hand.
“We had encountered problems of lack of sponsorship this year to travel to South Africa for the big event, the Mandela Day Marathon.
“We want to thank Machakaire who chipped in and provided us with transport to and from South Africa. His sponsorship to us means a lot as we were stranded,” said Muchena.
Muchena said they had failed to attract any sponsorship in previous editions of the race.
“Previously we have been raising our own funds to travel to South Africa for the marathon. This year we had difficulties in raising the funds. NERD Bank of South Africa had been helping us as well with sporting kits. This year they stopped their sponsorship,” added Muchena.
Kanyimo confirmed they would be leaving for South Africa on Tuesday to go into camping.
“We will be leaving for the event on Tuesday to camp and familiarise with the area in which we will be running,” said Kanyimo.
The fifth edition of Mandela Day Marathon is expected to start from Pietermaritzburg to Howick.
Muchena and Kanyimo attended the last two editions of the Mandela Day Marathon and were among the top 10 athletes to finish the race.
