It is the final! Starting from Mungu with the arrival in Chikupi, 8 km of dusty gravel surrounded by a golden landscape typical of the dry season.
The Sport2build team is now counting a new entry Evora here from Spain to follow the Never Give Up Football League due to start in a couple of weeks. The Senior categories start, also for this final they are not many, you can notice the usual champions but also somebody who take part to the Never Give Up circuit just for the final race and mainly to the final party! A few kilometers in front the starting point for Juniors, Evora surprised says ‘So many!’, it is true once again the Juniors are a lot and wait for the Seniors to pass by in the shade of a huge tree. We hear a chorus among the children ‘Gigo, Gigo’, it is the champion Gillias who is passing among the support of the youngest. Gillias has become a hero for these young runners whose respect and admiration can be easily felt in the chorus which rises spontaneously when Gillias passes. It always makes me smile to see the youngest remove their tops just like their idol during the race and run bare chest!
Even in this race first Senior Boy is Gillias Nangwala, followed by Eugene Chambwa and John Tembo. First Senior Girl is once again Ruth Kapempe, who today has a special fan among the spectators, the mum has come to see her run, second Margaret Bonda and third Faides Muliata. Among the Juniors, first boy Most Mulebe followed by Ackim Mwanza and Best Michelo, first girl is Milika Mweswa followed by Cynthia Hangombwa and Ramona Muyuya.
No surprises hence at the arrival, the overall standing is for the most confirmed. And here it is for the first three:
After a lunch of nsima (the white polenta staple food in Zambia, and with different names all over Southern Africa), cabbage and nkanga (some kind of guinea foul), cooked by the skillful cook from Chikupi Cecilia, music and dance followed by the prize giving of the sixth race and the overall one. Among the most sought after prizes the Zambikes bicycle for the overall firsts and the mattress fot the seconds.
Appointment in September for the next circuit!