The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PREPARATIONS for this year’s edition of the Tanganda Tea Half Marathon are at an advanced stage, with organisers of the event keen to maintain the high standards witnessed in the 2022 edition of the annual long distance running contest.
The event is set for June 25.
Manicaland Athletics Board chairperson, Joshua ‘Zesa’ Matume said: “Preparations for The 2023 Tanganda Half Marathon are at an advanced stage and over 1 000 athletes are expected at this year’s edition. The competition has always been a major highlight on the domestic road races of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) calendar.
“We are inviting all clubs, including primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions since we will have races for all age groups. Athletes can visit Tanganda offices in Mutare, Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo to register or they do so online.”
In aiming at more than 1 000 athletes to participate, the organisers are keen to maintain the standards from last year when more than 1 000 middle and long distance runners converged for the prestigious event.
In its previous editions, prior to last year’s edition, the Tanganda Tea Half Marathon used to attract at most 800 athletes.
Pomp and funfair permeated the usually serene environs of Mutare Sports Club during last year’s edition of the race.
Spiced with an exciting public Zumba aerobics session on the cricket pitch, people from different walks of life braved the chilly weather to stretch their muscles in this annual event which is bankrolled by the diversified agribusiness concern – Tanganda Tea Company.
Moses Tarakinyu cemented his dominance as the national half marathon champion after clocking one hour, one minute and 22 seconds to win the race.
Seasoned middle and long distance runner, Munyaradzi Jari came second after finishing the race in one hour, one minute and 44 seconds.
Misheck Sithole who won the previous edition of the race ostensibly owing to his familiarity with the route and terrain having grown up in the eastern border city, settled for third position after completing the race in one hour, two minutes and 25 seconds
Elijah Mabhunu was fourth, while Kelvin Pangiso settled for fifth position.
On the other hand, veteran runner, Olivia Chitate was the winner in the 21km ladies main event after finishing the race in one hour, 16 minutes and eight seconds ahead of Bertha Sitariko who clocked one hour, 16 minutes and 43 seconds.
Constance Nyasango came third.
In the wheelchair women 21km category, Stella Jongwe romped home first ahead of second placed Thandiwe Ndlovu and Margaret Bangajena who came third.
Wheelchair men 21km race had Samson Mutoyiwa coming first ahead of Elford Moyo.
Munyaradzi Katiyo came third.
In the 10km men’s race, Wellington Varevi came first, while in the ladies’ category of the same event, Faith Sanyika came first.
