By Tatenda Mujeyi
The JMBUSHA 54 Races will this year host the 3rd edition of the JMBusha 54 Races Peace Pledge marathon, cycling and golf tournament with total prices of RTGS$60 500.
“JM Busha 54 RACES Zimbabwe is delighted to be hosting the best third Edition of the games whose theme this year is “Step up to Peace.” Total prize for 2019 is RTGS 60 500,” JMBusha 54 Board member Mr. Kudakwashe Nyahuma said.
This year’s tournament maintains the same events of racing, cycling and golf and will be held at Alex, from Jason Moyo and Wingate respectively.
The JM BUSHA 54 races are aimed at celebrating the African success story and to lobby for peace and unity in Africa.
“As per our tradition, JM Busha 54 races celebrates Africa day with various sporting activities in our endeavor to promote peace and unity in Africa through sports,” Mr. Nyahuma said.
This year’s tournament maintains its old golf tournament format of two players partnering a pro and the race is reduced from 54 km to 21km.
“We have also reduced the distance of the main race from 54km to 21km but have added 1.6km for young runners in a bid to encourage the younger generation to participate without jeopardising their careers in the long run,” the board member added.
The JM Busha 54 races has also begun a pilot test program with the city of Harare that aims at conscientisation on the importance of cycling as an environmentally friendly initiative.
“We are grateful to City of Harare who through their initiative to promote non-motorised modes of transport have taken keen interest to revive cycling in the sunshine city” the board member also said.
This year’s edition will see consolation winners being given hampers from partners that have contributed to the race.
“We are grateful to various partners including the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association of Zimbabwe, Cycling Zimbabwe, Eversharp for hampers, Fresh in a box for donating hampers and Seedco for offering free agronomy services to the two schools that bring most runners,” Mr Nyahuma added.
Registration is underway at their offices or at the Harare Publicity office, Africa Unity Square, for the races as well as through the ZPGA and CEO Africa Round Table.
“Registration is now open and we have 2 registration points. One is at Africa Unity Square and another one our office. Golfers can also register through ZPGA or Africa CEO Roundtable.”
Apart from the JMBUSHA 54 marathon JMBUSHA 54 hoss other races like the Matendera marathon in Buhera and is a corporate social responsibility project by South African based Zimbabwean based businessman Joseph Makamba Busha