Cloud Fusire
SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
THE third edition of the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon will act as a qualifier for international marathons after getting the nod from the World Athletics Board this month.
The competition, which will be held on November 22 in Honde Valley, is expected to attract more local and foreign athletes who will use it as a qualifier for the competitions that include the annual Comrades Marathon in South Africa.
“The NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon is now internationally recognised by the World Athletics Board and certified.
“This means that the marathon is now recognised as a qualifier for the Comrades Marathon in South Africa,” said the marathon’s founder, Alois Bunjira.
The legendary former CAPS United and Warriors forward told the Daily News that the competition will be held in honour of the departed coordinator of the event — his fiancée Brenda Zvinorova — who died in a tragic accident when they were travelling to Honde Valley on a business trip related to the NetOne Albun Marathon.
“This has been one of Brenda’s big dreams for the marathon. “We had the accident when we were on our way to get the marathon route measured and certified “We hope the marathon keeps growing and her dreams for the marathon fulfilled. We will work hard for it and get her to smile from up there “Many thanks to Coach White from the World Athletics Board for the hard work and for making our dream of certification come true,” he said, adding that they are expecting a bigger crowd this year.
“We are looking forward to a bigger and much better marathon, and we are expecting to have international runners as well.
“We also hope that the ministry of Tourism and the Sports Ministry can come on board and be part of this marathon, and push for the growth of rural tourism,” said Bunjira.
The competition attracted over 1 000 participants last year, with long distance runners Isaac Mpofu and Phillipa Dube winning the male and female sections, respectively.