THE 2015 Econet Victoria Falls marathon could draw a bigger attendance for the year’s edition of the competition as organisers have started preparations for the race to be held in the resort town on June 28.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
It is a prestigious race which has over the years attracted athletes from Kenya, Zambia, Scotland, Australia, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Germany, France, Britain, the United States, Ukraine, Switzerland, Trinidad, Swaziland, Canada, Holland and Ireland.
According to information from the Victoria Falls marathon website registration for the competition has begun.
“Registrations for the 2015 Econet Victoria Falls marathon, half-marathon and 7km fun run are now underway, giving a chance for runners a chance to secure their spot on the starting line for the June 28 2015 race.
“The annual race which is fast reaching iconic status has seen a tremendous increase in numbers and organisers and sponsors plan for an even stronger demand in 2015. The buzz around the marathon has been felt on the international scale with runners in 2014 coming from as far afield as Australia, US, Canada and neighbouring South Africa,” the statement reads.
The race is a qualifying event for the region’s top ultra-marathons, the Comrades and Two Oceans which are both held in South Africa, another reason why it attracts many athletes.
Nkosiyazi Sibanda won the competition a record fourth time last year after he crossed the line in a time of 2hr 21min 40sec in the 42km race.
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In the women’s race Monica Kativhu improved on her fourth-place 2013 finish to win the title in 3hr 8min 21sec last year.
The winner of last year’s men and women’s marathon each pocketed $800, $675 for the second-placed athletes, $500 for third spot, $400 went to the fourth-placed athletes, $300 for position five, the sixth-placed athlete was awarded $200 while $150 went to the seventh-placed athlete.
The eighth-placed athletes pocketed $100 each, ninth-placed $75 while the tenth-placed athlete walked away with $50.
The men and women athletes who crossed the line first in the half-marathon each got $450, runners-up $325, third-placed $250, $200 for the fourth-placed athlete, the fifth-placed athlete was awarded $150, sixth-placed $125, $100 for position seven, $75 for position eight, $50 for position nine and $25 for position 10.