Sport Reporter
For rising long-distance star Owen Slowly, victory at the Moonlight Pink Ribbons of Hope half marathon was more than just a podium finish but a springboard to greater heights.
Slowly, who clocked a winning time of 1:07:13 in the men’s 21km race, didn’t just outpace competitors like Golden Mhonderwa and Kenya’s Isaac Langat, he outmaneuvered them.
The Falcon Golf Club event, oversubscribed with over 1,000 athletes, provided the perfect platform for an athlete of Slowly’s caliber, eager to transition to compete in even bigger events.
Slowly’s win, his first major outright victory, is being framed by the athlete himself as a critical confidence booster.
“This win is a significant milestone for my career,” said Slowly.
“The field was strong, and the conditions were a true test. I have been building towards a breakthrough performance this season, and to execute my plan here, pulling away after the 13km mark, proves my training is on the right track.
“Events like this are invaluable, they provide the competitive pressure we need to prepare for international competitions.”
The race, organised by Moonlight Funeral Assurance as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, aims to promote wellness and raise funds in the fight against cancer.
For athletes like Slowly, such well-supported corporate events are essential breeding grounds for talent.
Moonlight CEO Dr Chomi Makina said they are committed to the sporting calendar, a sentiment that aligns perfectly with the goals of ambitious athletes.
“We want this to become a permanent feature on the country’s sporting calendar,” he said.
This stability is key for Slowly’s ambitions.
“I pay tribute to the sponsors for coming up with events such as this one which go a long way in preparing us for other big events,” he said.
One of the event partners Baby & Me, representative, Rumbidzai Magaya said participating in the event was driven by a desire to play a role in the ongoing fight against cancer.
“We are very excited to be part of this noble cause, we saw it fit for us to contribute towards the fight against cancer.
“So as Baby & Me we usually deal with women and children and we know that especially women are vulnerable to cancer illness.
“So we felt that it was important for us to join Moonlight to raise awareness and resources to fight against Cancer,” said Magaya.
Miriam Sibanda was the winner in the 21km women’s race.
