NETONE Albun Honde Valley Marathon, which will take place on the 18th of November, was launched in Harare on Wednesday.
The marathon aims to promote tourism and wellness in the Eastern Highlands.
The NetOne AlBun Honde Valley Marathon is a brainchild of Alouis Bunjira, a fitness enthusiast and Zimbabwe Warriors legend.
The athletes who will be taking part in the marathon, half marathon and 10km are in for a big challenge owing to the gruelling but very scenic hilly terrain.
Honde Valley is an untapped gem of Zimbabwean tourism. This marathon will promote it as a destination.
At the unveiling ceremony of sponsors and partners, Bunjira paid tribute to the title sponsors NetOne and First Mutual Microfinance for believing in the vision.
“When I approached First Mutual and NetOne, they didn’t ask many questions because they had already bought into the project. They just asked me what I needed to make this dream a reality,” he said.
Race winners in both male and female categories of the marathon will each receive a cash prize of US$500, while the second and third-placed athletes will receive US$300 and US$200, respectively.
Title sponsors, NetOne Acting Head of Retail and Sales, Kenneth Potsekayi, said Honde Valley is a beautiful place, and we must treasure it more.
“I have been to Honde Valley before, and it’s a very beautiful place. I think as a nation, we can do more to appreciate this place and attract more tourists to Honde Valley,” he said.
“Where the marathon will end after 42 kilometres at the tea estates is a very beautiful place.
“As NetOne, we are serious about maintaining the environment and ensuring that we keep the environment in a good state. It resonates with our vision that whatever we do in terms of our operations it’s environmentally friendly. We value fitness, and we value the environment. It was an easy decision to make, and we said let’s be part of this big event.”
With two weeks before the marathon, over 350 participants have registered to take part.
The official transport partner of NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon, CAG Coaches will ferry athletes without transport to and from Honde Valley.
