Old Mutual Vumba Mountain Run goes regional
STAFF WRITER
ON Sunday, October 27, 2024, the picturesque Vumba Mountains once again played host to the highly anticipated Old Mutual Vumba Marathon.
This year’s event not only showcased exceptional athletic talent but also reinforced the importance of community engagement and environmental preservation.
The marathon featured several competitive categories, including the challenging 21km, the invigorating 10km, and the spirited 5km. Runners from the region and all over Zimbabwe participated, eager to embrace the challenge and celebrate fitness in a breathtaking natural setting.
“The success of this race is evident with the quality of athletes it is now attracting as we now have Mozambicans, Kenyans and some from Botswana.
Congratulations to each and every one of the participants of this event. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to health and wellness are truly inspiring. It is uplifting to see how the Vumba Marathon is becoming a meeting point for runners from diverse backgrounds. The Vumba Marathon’s significance goes beyond just being a race as it embodies our brand promise to unify our communities and create a better future for all,” said Isiah Mashinya, Old Mutual Group Chief Customer Experience and Operating Officer in his prize presentation speech.
“The marathon aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing its multifaceted impact on health and the environment. Proceed from the mountain run goes towards the preservation of the flora and fauna of Vumba. Our partnership with the Vumba Friends of the Environment has flourished for over 11 years, a testament to our belief in collaborations that have a multiplier effect. Together, we are making strides not only in promoting physical fitness but also in unifying our communities around a shared purpose,” added Mashinya.
The 11th edition of the Old Mutual Half Marathon has come and gone but the re-elected National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendayi Tagara was present on Sunday at the annual long distance race where more than 1 500 athletes that competed in different categories. Togara could not resist praising the strenuous mountain run as one of the elite races in the country, which now has the capacity to attract athletes from different countries in the region.
Tagara said: “In the next four years, we are looking at the growth of the organization. we want to retain all our sponsors. For example, Old Mutual Vumba Marathon is one of our elite races that we want to keep on our calendar for a long time to come.”
Tagara spoke glowingly of the successes of athletics as a fraternity in Zimbabwe. “We are very happy as the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe that we have just come out of an election where we reflected on the success of the recent two years. In the history of this country we have never had two athletes getting to the Olympics, their first Olympics appearance and getting into the final.”
Black Rhinos long distance runner Moses Tarakinyu and his female counterpart Fortunate Chidzivo are this year’s Old Mutual Vumba half marathon winners.
Tarakinyu completed the 21km race in one hour, nine minutes, and 15 seconds.
In winning the 2024 edition of the race, battle hardened Tarakinyu also broke his own record, set back in 2022.
In second position was Kenyan Isaac Langcet, who crossed the finishing line in one hour nine mites, 52 seconds while last year’s winner Blessing Waison settled for third position after crossing the finishing line in one hour, 11 minutes, and 36 seconds
In the ladies’ category, Chidziva romped home in one hour, 26 minutes and 23 seconds to win the tightly contested 21km race.
Caroline Mhandu came second after finishing the race in one hour, 29 minutes, and 27 seconds, while Phillipa Dube settled for third position after completing the race i. one hour, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds.
