By Loyd Matare
The purple wave is back on Harare’s streets as the city gears up for the much-anticipated Sunshine Jacaranda Bloom Half Marathon, now in its third edition.
First held in 2023, the Jacaranda Bloom Marathon has quickly blossomed into one of Zimbabwe’s standout road races, drawing both professional athletes and casual running enthusiasts.
From the 5km and 10km fun runs to the grueling 21km half marathon, the event caters to juniors, veterans, grandmasters, and even wheelchair athletes—all against the breathtaking backdrop of Harare’s jacaranda-lined avenues.
Addressing the press at Town House yesterday, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said this year’s edition will be bigger and better, thanks to improved technology and wider participation.
“So we believe that this time, the Jacaranda Marathon will have more registrants. It has technology to measure the distances, you’ve got tags that you are given in the beginning and at the end, so you can’t cheat.
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“We know how you are running, there is a digital timer at the end that records all the times. It’s a very useful marathon for professionals and also exciting for running enthusiasts,” he said.
He said the event showcases Harare’s unique beauty to the world.
“You know the roots of Harare, if you watched the popular show on Amazon, the presenters did the penultimate episode in Harare and called Jacaranda Avenue the best avenue in the world they had ever seen.
“They even said when the Lord was creating the earth, He must have left the best for last and created Zimbabwe.
“We have a beautiful thing going here, and we want people to see it, to feel it, through this marathon,” he added.
On the incentives, Mafume revealed plans to engage sponsors once again.
“Last time, CABS came through with the cash prizes and we hope to engage them and others like Geo Pomona this time. We have prizes galore for all categories.
“Registration fees are rock-bottom just US$10 for 5km and 10km, and US$15 for the 21km.
“Harare has 3.4 million residents, yet for many years we had no marathon of our own, even though people ran every morning. Now we are building a tradition that will last for generations.
“This marathon will put Harare on the sporting map of Africa,” Mafume declared.
