The ManicaPost
Senior Sports Reporter
MORE than 1 500 athletes, including most of the highly rated local long distance runners, are expected to descend on Mutare for this years’ potentially explosive edition of the Tanganda Tea half marathon on Sunday.
The Tanganda Tea half marathon, since its inception, attracts the country’s top athletes with yesteryear battle hardened runners such as Abel Chimukoko and Elijah Mutandiro having participated in it before. Tanganda Tea half marathon started in the late 80s up to the late 90s, then took a sabbatical and came back in 2012 and up to date it has been a yearly event.
However, preparations for the Tanganda Tea half marathon got underway last month and all is now set for the event amid expectations of a bigger and better contest. Manicaland Athletics Board (MAB) chairman Joshua “Zesa” Matume confirmed that preparations were almost complete and called on clubs as well as schools to send athletes to partake in the event.
“The race is on Sunday and preparations are at an advanced stage as we speak. “We are actually expecting more then 1 500 athletes for the event. “We are inviting all clubs, primary schools and secondary schools to send their athletes since we are going to have races for all age groups.
“We are going to have a 2km race for Under 14s hence primary schools will have a chance to showcase their talented athletes. “Secondary schools can also field their athletes in the 5.25km by 4 relay competition. “Some athletes from secondary schools as well as clubs can also partake in the 21km main event.
“In short, it promises to be quite an exciting event this year and we applaud the sponsors for increasing the package after a successful event last year,” said Matume. Apart from the main half marathon race, participants will also compete in the 5.25km X 4 relay race as well as the 10km fun run that is meant for all interested athletes who might not be fit for the 21km half marathon.
There will also be a race for the physically challenged on wheelchairs. The half marathon will see athletes starting the race at the Tanganda Tea Company premises, race along Park Road to Morningside and then turn at a roundabout near Mutare Boys High to Dominic Convent.
From Dominic Convent, participants then race along Rekayi Tangwena to Fairbridge Filling into Magamba Drive and then connect with Aerodrome Road on their way to the winning point at Mutare Sports Club.
