HWANGE Colliery will, starting this year, honour the 427 miners who perished in the Kamandama Mine Disaster on June 6, 1972, with a full marathon to be held on November 30.
The marathon is expected to attract top local and international athletes as well as fitness enthusiasts.
The maiden race, dubbed the Kamandama Memorial Marathon and is organised by Hwange Athletics Club, will be sponsored by the Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) and was launched on October 17 in the coal mining town.
The maiden race features the 42.2km full marathon, the 21.1km half marathon, the 18km race for wheelchair athletes and a 5km fun run.
Exciting cash prizes are lined up for the race with winners of the full 42.2km marathon getting US$4 500 for the male and female categories while the half marathon winners will each get US$2 500 from each section while the wheelchair runners stand to win US$1 500.
Runners-up in the full and half marathons are assured of US$3 000 and $1 500 respectively while for the wheelchair race, they will get US$1 000.
Bronze medalists will also be rewarded with US$2 000 and US$1 000 for the full and half marathons with the wheelchair category attracting $850.
The race’s theme is ‘Reconstruction Success - Going Beyond Traditional Business Dimensions.’
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Registration for the competition is in progress, pegged at US$15 for local runners, US$50 (Sadc) and US$75 for international athletes for the 42.2 km, 21.1km and wheelchair races and US$10 for all athletes for the fun run.
Information gathered from the race’ official website states that the race: “… aims to honour the legacy of one of Zimbabwe's most tragic mining disasters while promoting health, community, and sustainable industry practices.
"The Kamandama Memorial Marathon is named in remembrance of the 427 miners who lost their lives in the Kamandama Mine Disaster on June 6, 1972.
"The tragedy, which occurred at the then Wankie Colliery Company No. 2 Mine following a series of underground explosions, remains one of the darkest days in Zimbabwean industrial history.”
It added: "It also aims to promote athletic excellence, community unity, and health awareness.
"To ensure all participants arrive at the starting line on time, sponsored buses will be provided for runners traveling from Victoria Falls.
“The bus schedule is as follows: Full Marathon & Specially Abled Athletes: Departure at 03:00 AM (allowing approximately 2.5 hours for travel and pre-race preparations).
"Half Marathon: Departure at 03:30 AM.5KM Fun Run/Walk: Departure at 05:00 AM.The journey from Victoria Falls to Hwange is expected to take roughly two hours, ensuring athletes have ample time to prepare upon arrival.
"Organisers have prioritised runner safety and comfort, with water points positioned every 3 to 3.5 kilometres along the route."
Ambulances and medical stations will be provided.
The route for the race is not yet provided on the website.
The Kamandama commemorations are held annually in June, organised by HCCL to remember the victims of the mine disaster and foster for improved mine safety, the welfare of the miners’ families and accountability for the affected families, especially the widows.
