Jairos Jiri Half Marathon targets 250 athletes for first race

Organisers are targeting 250 athletes for the inaugural Jairos Jiri Half Marathon. About 200 participants had registered by Friday, with the event scheduled for Sunday in Bulawayo.

The programme will include men’s and women’s races over 5km, 10km and 21.1km. All three distances will start and finish at the Barbourfields outside grounds, replacing the stadium venue that had initially been announced.

The grounds were selected partly because they are suitable for wheelchair athletes. The course will pass through several well-known parts of Bulawayo, including Amakhosi Cultural Centre, Old Falls Road, Makokoba and Mzilikazi. A water station will be available at Amakhosi.

The race is the closing sporting activity of the revived Jairos Jiri Fete, which begins on Saturday and concludes on Sunday. The fete was first staged about six decades ago and later became a regular feature of Bulawayo’s entertainment and fundraising calendar.

This year’s revival is combining sport, entertainment and community services to support people with disabilities. Free health checks will be offered by Marondra Poly Clinic during the wider programme.

Money raised through the half marathon will go to the Jairos Jiri Vocational Centre in Bulawayo. The centre provides accommodation and vocational training for people with disabilities, with courses including carpentry, basket weaving and agriculture.

The fete traditionally included a fundraising football match between Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints. The organisers’ decision to add the half marathon gives the revived event a new sporting component while retaining its fundraising purpose.