Story by Anashe Murombedzi
MORE than 4 000 athletes took part in the First Mutual Musabvunda Half Marathon and Family Fun Day this weekend, as the event continued to grow into one of the region’s major sporting attractions.
Held around Blakiston Primary School in Milton, the event combined competitive racing with fitness and wellness activities aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and community participation.
The half marathon has also become an important preparatory race for athletes targeting regional endurance events, including South Africa’s Comrades Marathon.
Athlete Oberty Tarwireyi said the race provided a valuable assessment ahead of bigger competitions.
“The race was quite great. It got me back to my feet to check the level of my fitness before I take on bigger events,” he said.
Another athlete, Prince Muvhuti described the event as an important part of his preparations for upcoming races.
“The marathon is a huge benefit for all of us to gain fitness. As for me, I have the Econet Half Marathon in July coming up and this was a preparation run,” he said.
This year’s edition marked a milestone after First Mutual became the title sponsor, with organisers reporting a sharp increase in participation compared to the previous event held in November.
Event organiser Mr Kudzai Pasipanodya said participation numbers had doubled.
“This has been a great success. If we compare with our November run, the numbers have actually doubled. At the next event, which will again be held in November, we are targeting more than 10 000 participants as we continue improving the event,” he said.
First Mutual Wellness Consultant, Ms Ropafadzo Mukanga said the partnership aligns with efforts to promote wellness and prevent lifestyle-related illnesses.
“We are encouraging our members and the general public to remain physically active in order to prevent non-communicable diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles,” she said.
In addition to the 21.1-kilometre race, organisers also hosted fun runs and Zumba sessions, creating a family-friendly festival atmosphere.
