Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
More than 1 200 fitness enthusiasts participated in the 2023 edition of the Cimas iGo half-marathon over the weekend in Harare and Bulawayo whose main aim is to promote awareness about men’s health issues and contribute to cancer research, education and support of those living with cancer.
More than 900 people took part in the Cimas iGo Half-Marathon at the ZB Sports Club in Vainona Harare on Saturday while more than 300 also participated in Bulawayo at Bulawayo Athletics Club on Sunday.
Participants had the option to choose whether to run the 21 kilometres or to run the lesser distances of 10 kilometres or 5 kilometres.
Money raised from the registration fees will be donated to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe.
November is recognised as Men’s Health Awareness Month across the world. It follows Breast Cancer Awareness Month held in October. Two of the major cancers affecting men are prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Cimas is offering its members prostate cancer screening at all their clinics throughout the month of November. The company is urging all men over 40 years of age to visit their nearest Cimas clinic or healthcare provider for prostate cancer screening.
In a statement, Cimas said while the risk of prostate cancer and the need for its early detection in order to give treatment the best chance of success is strongly emphasised during the Men’s Health Awareness Month, there has been a growing focus in some countries during November on suicide prevention, Suicide is now a major health issue of concern among men.
“Cimas iGo is a wellness programme intended to help Cimas members remain healthy or if they are already suffering from a non-communicable disease, manage their condition well. It encourages men and women, both Cimas members and non-members to stay healthy and fit through exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding ways to minimise and handle stress. The Cimas iGo Half-Marathon combines the promotion of good health and wellness with increasing awareness of men’s health issues and raising money to help the fight against cancer,” said Cimas.
