Old Mutual 10km race confirmed

Sport
THE OLD Mutual 10km race postponed twice this year has finally been set for November 24, the organisers have confirmed.

THE OLD Mutual 10km race postponed twice this year has finally been set for November 24, the organisers have confirmed.

RONALD MOYO SPORTS REPORTER

The race was initially set for June 23 before it was moved to September 15.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) secretary-general Dailes Bingadadi confirmed the new date yesterday.

“I can now confirm that the race is on as I have communicated with the sponsors who I am going to have a meeting with anytime this week. We have already agreed on November 24 as the date for the event, now we want to meet and discuss other issues with the sponsors. Probably we will discuss prizes for the winners and other necessary things for the race,” Bingadadi said.

He said BAB was still negotiating with the sponsor to include a 5km race for primary school athletes.

“As usual, the race will have both junior and senior categories and they will all compete in the 10km race. After considering the role young athletes play in the future of Zimbabwean athletics, we have proposed a 5km race for primary school athletes and the sponsors are yet to respond to that. Any latest developments will be announced in due course,” she said.

Over 250 athletes participated in last year’s event which saw Wirimai Juwawo winning the senior men’s race in a time of 29mins 50,3secs, while South Africa-based Rutendo Nyahora clinched the women’s first prize finishing the race in 34mins 38secs.

Bingadadi said the value of the race should not be underestimated.

“The races we have had so far had a significant role in developing athletes. The Old Mutual 10km race is one of those races, thanks to the sponsors who brought it back last year after a very long time.

“Surely athletes have been starved of races in the past years,” she added.

After the Old Mutual, race athletes will also be looking forward to the Nkulumane Spar 10km race set for December 8, which will close the 2013 athletics season.