Organisers happy with Old Mutual fun run

Sport
OLD Mutual Investment managing director Mehluli Mpofu says they are happy with the support they received at the 10km fun run in Bulawayo on Sunday.

OLD Mutual Investment managing director Mehluli Mpofu says they are happy with the support they received at the 10km fun run in Bulawayo on Sunday.

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

Five hundred athletes participated in the era that included the main event, a 5km fun run and wheelchair race categories.

The main race which started and ended at Nkulumane Complex was won by veteran long-distance runner Cutbert Nyasango in a time of 29mins 24,63secs while Olivia Chitate successfully defended her title in a time of 34mins 07,09secs making an improvement from last year’s time of 35mins 32,71secs.

The winners received $1 000 each.

“We are happy with the support that we got not only from the community in Bulawayo, but as you heard, from the presentation people who came from as far as Manicaland.

“We are happy that athletes are supporting this event because without the people this will not be a success,”he said.

“I also participated. The most important thing for me are the health aspects related to it. There are only a few winners, but what most people gain from this is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We are happy to see people of all ages coming through to participate in this race.”

On their relationship with the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) and possibilities of the race being turned into a marathon in future Mpofu said: “Yes, we see this relationship continuing. As you see today’s event was a success we are all a part of this community with the relationships such as the one we have with them we think we will be able to deliver on a lot more great things.

“It is a relationship we value and we see it continuing into the future.

“Yes, I think in due course we will make it a marathon, but let’s take a step at a time. This is the 13th time we are holding this event so far it has been a success. Let’s just see where time takes us,” he said.

BAB chairman Manuel Mpofu urged the winners to share their knowledge with other athletes.

“To Old Mutual let’s continue with this relationship and as Bulawayo Athletics Board we are humbled and we want to have many events like this in the city,” he said.

Nyasango broke the long-standing national marathon record at the Volkswagen Prague marathon in the Czech Republic last month.

He crossed the finish line in two hours 9mins and 52secs on his way to finishing third at the prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations Gold Label race to break retired the record of two hours 10mins, 57secs which was set by retired Zimbabwe long-distance runner Tendai Chimusasa 16 years ago.