NetOne Withdraws Partnership from 2026 Honde Valley Marathon

NetOne Cellular (Pvt) Ltd has officially announced that it will not partner with Albun Fitness for the upcoming 2026 Honde Valley

The State-owned telecommunications giant and Telcos NetOne released an official media statement clarifying its position regarding the upcoming 2026 Honde Valley Marathon. According to the communication issued by the company’s Public Relations Office, NetOne will not enter into a partnership with Albun Fitness for this year’s edition of the popular sporting event.While stepping back from its previous collaborative role with the marathon organizers, NetOne expressed gratitude to Albun Fitness for the extensive engagement and discussions held to explore a potential partnership.

“NetOne wishes Albun Fitness and all participants a successful Honde Valley Marathon and remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote fitness, healthy communities, empowerment and national development,” the Public Relations Manager Ernest Magadzire stated.

The annual Honde Valley Marathon, traditionally staged against the scenic backdrop of Manicaland’s Eastern Highlands, has grown into a major fixture on Zimbabwe’s sporting and sports tourism calendar. Despite pulling out of this specific collaboration, NetOne reiterated that its broader corporate social investment pillars—focusing on grassroots wellness, community empowerment, and national development—remain unchanged.

Past editions of the Honde Valley Marathon and other community or sports initiatives by NetOne have cascaded development nationwide.

The Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) entity whose CEO is former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya officially distanced itself from the upcoming 2026 Honde Valley Marathon, clarifying that it will not be entering a partnership with Albun Fitness for the event.The announcement, released in the formal media statement from NetOne’s Public Relations Office at their Kopje Plaza headquarters in Harare led by PR Manager Magadzire, aims to clear the air regarding the organization and branding of the highly anticipated annual race.NetOne has intently drawn the line under Marathon Sponsorship Rumors and the clarification follows recent promotional materials and initial engagements that tied the mobile network operator to the event’s 2026 edition. In the official notice, NetOne explicitly advised its corporate stakeholders and members of the general public that it would not serve as a partner alongside Albun Fitness for this calendar year’s run.Despite pulling back from the event, the telecom operator maintained a highly amicable stance toward the fitness organization.

“We appreciate Albun Fitness for the engagement and the opportunity to explore collaboration around the event,” the company stated, acknowledging the constructive discussions that took place before the final decision was made.Maintaining a Commitment to National Wellness while NetOne will not have its branding front and center at the start line in Hauna, Mutasa, the corporate giant emphasized that its withdrawal from this specific marathon does not signal a retreat from its broader corporate social responsibility goals.The statement from Magadzire’s PR department concluded with well-wishes for the event hosts and runners, adding that NetOne:Extends its hopes for a successful race to Albun Fitness and all individual participants.Remains steadfastly committed to supporting local initiatives that focus on personal fitness, community health, and social empowerment.Continues to align its corporate investments with broader national development strategies.A Major Landmark on the Regional Sports Calendar, the Honde Valley Marathon has steadily grown into a premier attraction on the local athletics circuit, famous for challenging runners against a scenic backdrop where mountains meet the mist. In previous years, the race has been celebrated as a significant economic and social driver for the Manicaland region, drawing hundreds of fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, and tourists.As the calendar moves forward, Albun Fitness is expected to steer the 2026 marathon independently or seek alternative corporate backing to sustain the event’s rapid yearly growth.