THE Continent’s longest-running triathlon event, the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck, set for April 1 this year, was officially launched in Harare on Monday.
Turning 15 this year, the 15th Anniversary has attracted massive participation, with 25 Elite athletes and seven juniors having registered over a month before the showcase.
The launch was preceded by a Media Workshop held at African Sun’s Group of Hotels’ Holiday Inn in the Capital, one of Triathlon Zimbabwe’s (TZ) sponsors.
Eastern Highlands’ perennial premier international triathlon venue, Troutbeck Resort will host the event with 250 ranking points for the female and male Elite champions.
“The planning process has been very intense over the past couple of months, and what makes it even more exciting is that this is the longest-standing event of this kind on the African continent,” said Rick Fulton, TZ Troutbeck Event Director.
Coca-Cola Zimbabwe, who are just one shy of a decade of support for the Troutbeck event, said that there is a relationship for the long haul.
The bottling company’s Franchise Marketing Portfolio and Activations Manager Zimbabwe, Faith Nehanda, said they will continue to play a role in sports development.
“We are proud of our nine-year relationship with the triathlon sport in Zimbabwe. We have sponsored the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup that takes place at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga for three years with Schweppes water and are in the sixth year with Bonaqua, making it at the prestigious event on more than 60 per cent of the times since inception 17 years ago,” Nehanda said.
“We have been together for nine consecutive years. Our sponsorship and association continue to grow such that putting a monetary value may not do our partnership justice. We love the triathlete’s essence as they compete with the spirit of enthusiasm, fairness and sportsmanship.
“As Coca-Cola, we believe sport is essential to our lives. The triathlon, which combines swimming, cycling, and running, aligns well with our Bonaqua brand.”
The other corporates supporting the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Cup represented at the launch were the African Sun, CFAO Motors, Cimas, Ecocash and Rooneys in absentia.
“It is through such mutual interests and commitment to plough back in a society that together we can develop,” added Nehanda.
