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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MORE than five hundred athletes are expected to take part in the second edition of the Old Mutual Westgate half marathon tomorrow at the shopping mall in Harare. The race will see prizes worth US$25 000 being won on the day with the winners of the main race walking away with US$3 000.

Participants will compete in the 21km race, which is the main race, 10km and 5km races while veterans will take part in their own category and there is also wheelchair racing section.

Harare Athletics Board secretary general, Silas Muringani, said they were looking forward to an exciting race but noted that the numbers may be a bit low after the introduction of a participation fee of US$5 to be paid by athletes unlike last year when it was free to enter the race.

“We are expecting stiff competition because of the high prize money. We expect previous records to fall and we are hoping for a high turnout from our professional athletes based in South Africa.

“There is commitment from Rutendo (Nyahora) and Olivia Chitate, those are some of the athletes we are expecting.
“Now that we have a participation fee it is going to have an impact on the numbers. We also have few people in terms of organisation because last we ended up having confusion last year,” said Muringani.

The Westgate half marathon started in 2011 as a fun run before it was upgraded to a half marathon recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations and Muringani said they hope the race can attract foreign participants in the near future.

“We are saying upgrading the race to be on the IAAF radar we can have more athletes coming from outside Zimbabwe.
“Previously we have not had any foreign athletes but I do hope that in this edition we may have one or two surprises. There were enquiries from South Africa,” said Muringani.

Harare Athletics Club committee member for elite athletes, Aaron Whyte, said they were sending a number of athletes from their club for tomorrow’s race.

“We are sending more than 30 athletes. Some of them are Elijah Mabhunu and is likely to win the 10km race. Moses Njodzi, Martin Mbofana, Lucky Ngwenya and Gilbert Mutandiro are competing in the 21km race.  There is quite a number of seasoned athletes so the competition will be tough but our guys will go out there to do their best.

“They have prepared for this race, especially Moses Njodzi and Mutandiro, they have been preparing for this event.
“The tougher the competition the better the race,” said Whyte.

Other participants expected to compete are defending champions, Wirimai Juwawo, Cuthbert Nyasango and Jonathan Chinyoka.