Godwin Katakura and Miriam Sibanda won the inaugural 25km Young Africa Zimbabwe marathon, in the men and women category respectively, which was held in Chitungwiza yesterday.
The event was run over an unusual 25km distance to mark the organisation's 25 years of existence.
Young Africa Zimbabwe specialises in vocational skills training and academic coaching
However, the competition which will become an annual occurrence will revert to a 21km half marathon starting next year.
About 300 athletes took part in the marathon, which was dubbed KaRun KemuGhetto.
Katakura finished the race ahead of Wayne Kabondo while Sylvester Murinye settled for third place.
In the women's category, renowned marathon runner Rutendo Nyahora trailed Sibanda with Chiedza Chokore coming home in third place.
Stella Jongwe won the wheelchair race.
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Founders of Young Africa Zimbabwe Raj Joseph and his spouse Dorien Beurskens were the guests of honour at the marathon event.
“It's a beautiful event and we are proud of the team here doing an amazing job to bring together arts and sports in the two-day programme. When we started we never saw this day. We just wanted to contribute to youth empowerment, skills building for life and work so we were so small we couldn't think this far ahead,” Beurskens said.
“We wanted young people to contribute constructively to building up their own community, family and self as well as the development of the country and Africa as a whole. Our focus is on young people who have challenges with finances and with no qualifications,” added Joseph.
Young Africa Zimbabwe has seen more than 30 000 youths graduate from the Chitungwiza campus over the last 25 years.
Young Africa Zimbabwe country director Suzan Madondo was happy with the success of the event.
“Today we have close to 300 runners and what's more impressive for us is that there is quite a good number of professional runners who took heed to come and celebrate with us 25 years of impacting youths," Madondo said.
“We also had wheelchair runners where we are saying disability inclusive is not only in learning but also in sport. It must be upheld in all aspects of life. This event as it was the inaugural one here in Chitungwiza, will be an annual event so we hope to see everyone from Chitungwiza and Zimbabwe at large with a bigger and better marathon next year.”
Mr Pace Academy co-founder Collen Makaza, a former marathon runner, helped make the event a success.
