Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
LIAM Savari of Eagles Athletics Club and Lorna Doorman were the inaugural winners of the ZB Bank Half Marathon at the ZB Sports Club on Sunday.
Savari, who is based in Norton, defied the odds to win after he arrived three minutes late.
He built on his performance at the Econet Victoria Falls marathon, where he finished fifth in July, by winning in 1 hour 17 minutes and 3 seconds.
Marlon Tauzeni finished second in 1 hour 18 mins 35s in the 21km race.
Solomon Mutsikamahwe settled for third place after crossing the finish line 59 seconds behind Tauzeni.
Doorman was in her own class in the women’s category as she won in 1 hr 34 mins 1s, more than 10 minutes ahead of Patricia Chikambura, who clocked 1 hr 45 min, 33s.
Rumbidzwai Chiunda finished third in 1 hr 51 mins 41s.
“The terrain was challenging, especially after I reached Harare Drive, it was a tough challenge but I am happy that I managed to complete the race,” said Savari.
ZB Financial Holdings organised the event in partnership with Harare Athletic Club.
“The half marathon will be an annual event and we will be holding it in different parts of the country,” said ZB Financial Holdings CEO Shepherd Fungura.
“Next year we will be in Bulawayo.
“For more inclusivity, we will also include People Living with Disabilities, starting with the Wheelchair Race. Thank you to Walter Chimuka and the Harare Athletics Team as well as all our stakeholders who have made this event a success.
“We win together as a team, and we are all winners just by participating.”