eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
Runners have described the 21 kilometre Lake Harvest Kariba Challenge route as the most challenging in Zimbabwe with the typically high temperatures in the resort town making it more difficult.
The route has very tough hills to climb and steep downhills, despite very beautiful views of Lake Kariba and running across the Kariba Dam Wall.
Some officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, had to fire gunshots to scare away game mainly lions and other predators to ensure free passage.
Within the initial undulating kilometre, the real challenge began as runners climb the meandering terrain towards the Zimbabwe-Zambia border post and back.
Trust Tatenda Hove finished first, describing the course as the hardest race of his running career. Hove, who is the reigning champion of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, finished the race in an hour and 10 seconds. He won $300.
“I have been around the country and abroad, but I found this terrain particularly difficult. The temperatures were high despite the fact that we started early, (and reports say in the afternoon it clocked 35 Degrees Celsius). I am happy that I managed to win. I am looking forward to my next race,” said Hove.
Elite runner Kelvin Pangiso, who came in 4th position at Pyong yang in Korea in 2016 and represented Zimbabwe at the World Champs pocketed $250 for coming second, Rabson Chigara was capped third and walked away with $200.
Apart from the high temperatures, the view from the top of the pass was spectacular and a special reward in itself for all who took part at the event. The winner of the women’s race, Ethel Sibanda, also revealed that she faced difficulties on her way to victory.
“It’s an amazing terrain. The uphills and downhills are adventurous. However, they make it difficult to maintain consistency. It is a very challenging terrain,” said Sibanda, who won $300.
Emilia Mukungatu came second while Margaret Mahohoma came third and each won $250 and $200, respectively.
Marko Mambo who travels the world competing in the hardest ultra-marathons also found the going tough.
Mambo is one of Zimbabwe’s top ultra-distance runners Marko Mambo, who raised the country’s flag high in this year’s Comrades Marathon (90km) in South Africa where he finished in a fifth place but he finished on eight position at the Lake Harvest Kariba Challenge.
Now in its 13th year since the inaugural event in 2005, had over 1000 registered runners.
Athletics coach Aaron White and former runner who holds Lake Harvest Kariba Challenge record in 2017 hailed organisers of the event.
“It was a very well organised event. The turnout doubled from last year with over 1000 local and international runners. It’s growing with each passing year and attracting elite runners. It is one of the toughest routes in the country. The temperatures don’t make is any easier. I still hold a record for that race but I understand that this is a tough terrain. The challenge is different and unique. It is important to congratulate every finisher of the half marathon,” he said.
