Story by Peter Chivhima
WAYNE Kabondo of Mr Pace Athletics Club has won the men’s 21km race of the Air Force of Zimbabwe’s Half Marathon held in Harare.
Kabondo crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 52 seconds, just one second ahead of Slowly Owen from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
In the women’s 21km category, Kabondo’s teammate, Mirriam Sibanda, continued the club’s dominance with a time of 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 49 seconds.
“Through training, I have managed to make it. I want to thank my coach for this,” Kabondo said.
“The race was good, the terrain and the weather were encouraging,” Sibanda noted.
In the wheelchair 10km races, Munyaradzi Katiyo of Tsvaira Cycling led the men’s category in 24 minutes and 59 seconds, while Stella Jongwe topped the women’s category with a time of 30 minutes.
” I am so excited to participate in this year’s edition. I am so happy that the AFZ is including us,” Katiyo said.
“It was tough, but I managed to make it, I am excited,” Jongwe added.
The 8km race saw Black Rhinos’ Moses Tarakinyu finish first in 23 minutes, closely followed by Martin Mutsapata.
Commander of the Air Force and patron of the AFZ Charity Fund, Air Marshal Jacob Nzvede, highlighted the growth of the event.
“I am so excited that the event is growing bigger and bigger. Last year we had 800 participants, but this year we have close to two thousand. All the proceeds will go towards underprivileged communities,” he noted.
All proceeds from the marathon will benefit underprivileged communities, supporting initiatives such as combating drug and substance abuse, assisting vulnerable groups, and addressing period poverty.
