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FIRST TIME MARATHONER CLINCHES TOP USD1000 PRIZE IN AU PEACE MARATHON   

First time marathon athlete, Point Chaza, (25) of Mutare Harlem club was this year’s winner of the Africa University International Peace marathon which took place last Saturday, 29 September 2007 in Mutare.

He clocked in at 2 hours, 29 minutes and 11 seconds, six minutes ahead of last year’s winner, Tapiwa Chingadayi who made it home at 2 hours 23 minutes and 15 seconds. Chaza walked away with a cash prize of USD1000. Chaza was closely followed by Vusa Munikwa of Black Rhinos Club at 2 hours, 29 minutes and 53 seconds, and Felix Mushangwa, of David Whitehead Club who came in at 2 hours 30 minutes and 15 seconds.

This year’s marathon drew a field of close to 400 athletes, with a contingent of ten athletes coming in from Japan, under the Japan International Cooperation Agency currently in Zimbabwe on a stint as coaching assistants in tertiary institutions around the country.

Other categories in the marathon included the 21 kilometre half marathon, the 10 kilometre race for the physically challenged, the 5 kilometre run for primary school children and the 500 metre fun run for pre schoolers.

“This race is certainly challenging because of the hilly terrain which forms the Christmas pass,” said National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Director of Competitions, Aeneas Nhoro. “As such, the Africa University international peace marathon affords the national sports body a chance to scout for the best sporting talent locally, because of the tough challenge that the Christmas Pass poses. Athletes successful in this event are able to compete better at global showcases,” he said.

Point Chaza, the winner of this year’s race is a first time marathon athlete, his turf being the half marathons and 10 kilometre events. He has represented Zimbabwe at various marathons such as the Trollope Marathon in the Netherlands and the Achea marathon in Holland in successive years since 2004.

“I am really excited; this is my first marathon, and my first win in such an event. I am shocked at this new achievement says Chaza. My ultimate aim is to represent Zimbabwe at the World Olympics.

Tabitha Tsatsa of Lobels club, Mutare clinched the top honours award in the female 42 kilometre category with a win of USD1000. She came in at 2 hours 59 minutes, dismissing challenges from Rabia Alima who came in at 3 hours 10 minutes and 59 seconds.

The second place winners in both the male and female categories each walked away with USD 500 each.

Millions of dollars were made available in terms of prize money to athletes in other categories and this year, the top winner, Chaza also walked away with a floating trophy donated by the Africa Group of Ambassadors resident in Harare. The trophy was last year donated to Africa University by Zambian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Sheila Siwela on behalf of the Dean of the Africa Group.

Vice Chancellor of Africa University, Professor Rukudzo Murapa proffered his profound thanks to the Mutare community and corporate sponsors for continuously supporting the marathon. “It is through your efforts that we are able to host this event annually.”

“Peace, he added, remains important in our daily existence as a people and we need to continuously and actively concentrate on its attainment and maintenance as a top priority,” said Murapa.

The idea to host the Africa University International peace marathon was mooted in 2001, as an international event to promote the concept of peace through sportsmanship. The first marathon event was thus held successfully in 2002.