OnSport Reporter
THE route for the third edition of the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) Marathon, is set to change this year after shifting the hosting venue to Khumalo Hockey Stadium from White City in the western suburbs.
The race, set for Sunday is expected to attract hundreds of long distance athletes from across the country.
The move to change the route was confirmed by Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) chairman, Watson Madenyika.
“This is the third edition of the Zimbabwe School of Mines Marathon and we are happy that this year the race is on again. I thank the School of Mines for their passion for supporting Athletics,” Madenyika said.
The change in venue comes with meticulously planned new routes for all race categories.
The 42km marathon will kick off at 6:30am at Khumalo Hockey, followed by the 21km at 7:00am, the 10km at 7:30am and the 5km fun run at 8:00am.
All athletes will venture into Seventh Avenue, cross George Avenue into Edward Road, then take a left turn into Coghlan Avenue before turning right along Cecil Avenue.
The 5km runners will make their turn at the Hindu Church along Coghlan Avenue.
The 10km participants will proceed along Cecil Avenue and execute a U-turn at the SDA Church, just after the traffic lights at the intersection of Cecil Avenue and Masvingo Road.
For the more enduring 42km and 21km runners, the course continues with a left turn at Ekusileni Hospital along 12th Avenue Extension.
The 21km runners will then make their U-turn at the Rock Motel.
The full 42km marathon route will see participants proceed and turn right at Rio Hotel, then onto Waterford Road, followed by a right turn along Bulawayo Drive and straight into Douglasdale Drive.
The final U-turn for the marathoners will be approximately 500m from the turn-off onto Douglasdale Drive, before they retrace their steps back to the Khumalo Hockey.
Last year’s full marathon saw Gamuchirai Tsveta claim victory in the men’s category with an impressive time of 2 hours and 18 minutes.
The ladies’ 42km race was won by Rosina Kiboino of Kenya in a time of two hours 52 minutes 13 seconds
The 2023 edition, which primarily featured a half marathon, saw veteran long-distance runner Moses Tarakinyu win the men’s 21km race in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 41 seconds, while
Annie Chirisa took the women’s 21km title in 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 45 seconds.
Registration for this year’s event has been pegged at $15 for the 42km, 21km, and 10km races, and $10 for the 5km fun run.
