Stephen Chadenga
The Commissioner General of Police road race will be held this Saturday at Mkoba Teachers’ College in Gweru.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko on Monday confirmed the sporting event adding that it had generated a lot of interest among sports enthusiasts.
“The event is generating a lot of interest going by contacts and inquiries we have received so far from all parts of the country,”Mahoko said.
“Residents of Gweru in particular and the Midlands province in general are very grateful to Commissioner General of Police, Stephen Mutamba for bringing such a very big event to their doorstep.
“To some it will be a lifetime occasion to mix, mingle and rub shoulders with eminent people from all walks of life and elite athletes who they are used to hear about through the media.”
Mahoko said the competition will be in the 21km, 10km and 5km distances with at least 1000 people expected to participate.
He said a total of US$12 450 in prizes has been set aside for various categories which include junior, tertiary students, wheelchair athletes, veterans, masters and grandmasters for both men and women.
“Men and women open (21km) first prize winners will walk away with US$1000 each,”he said.
The first 10 runners in the open will receive prizes while in all the other categories the first three athletes will be awarded prizes.
Mahoko said the registration fee to participate was US$20 and interested participants can register online on the provided link. He said people can also check contact the Hype Crew Nation who are managing the registration process on the following numbers; 0783323127 (Givemore), 0774366481 (Shingi) and 0774041744 (Tee). He added that participants can also register manually at Gweru central police station driving school.
Mahoko said sponsorship came from Old Mutual which is the perennial sponsor of the event.
Police Commissioner General Mutamba will be the guest of honour at the event.