ELIJAH Mabhunu and Olivia Chitate scooped the 2023 edition of the Mr Pace Post Insurance Half Marathon, which was staged at the National Sports Stadium .
The event grew bigger this year with a massive turnout after main sponsors Nicoz Diamond and Global Risk Underwriting Managers (Gruma) poured in US$10 000 into the competition.
Held in partnership with Mr Pace Athletics Club, this year’s competition was held under the theme: Fighting drug abuse through sport.
Mabhunu won the men's category, finishing the race in 1 hour four minutes in what was largely a flat 21 km distance and relegating Ebel Chibanda and Misheck Sithole into second and third place respectively.
In the women's category, seasoned half marathon runner Chitate scooped her fourth accolade of the year with another dominant display in a strong line-up that also included Patience Murove and Rudo Mhonderwa, who were second and third respectively.
“I want to thank God for giving me a second chance. I used to be a champion, but I began to struggle due to injuries. I feel really good and right now I am preparing for the Vic Falls Marathon so that I can achieve more big things and run good times which can see me do well for Zimbabwe outside the country and even at the Olympics,” Mabhunu said after the win.
Chitate was also over the moon after yet another win to add to the CBZ Marathon, Musabvunda and the National Cross Country Championships.
“It was a tough race with a lot of seasoned runners there. In fact it felt like a semi-championship, but I am happy that I managed to win this competition. Races like this one I use as training. I sat down with my coach to discuss what I am targeting and so far I am targeting the Tanganda and Vic Falls Marathon, so most of the races in between help me to test myself,” she said.
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There was competition in the 21km and 10km distances while there was also a 5km fun run/walk.
Some of the officials from the sponsors took part in the fun run.
Gruma official Brian Nyanyiwa was delighted with his organisation’s involvement in the event.
“We have been working with Zimpost for many years. The Post Insurance brand was launched about five years ago. So we are trying to nurture talent and ploughing back the premiums that we collect from the community while we uplift the lives of the less privileged.
“As you can see the race included the disabled people, youth, men and women so we brought in diversity so that we drive the goal that we have to nurture talent,” he said.
