Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
Bulawayo Athletics Board Confirms PPC Matopos Marathon shelved for This Year.
The chairperson of the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB), Watson Madanyika, has announced that the sponsors of the PPC Matopos Marathon have informed them that the event will be shelved for this year.
This decision represents a significant loss for the athletics community, as the PPC Matopos Marathon has traditionally been one of the country’s largest and most anticipated races.
Madanyika expressed his disappointment, highlighting the considerable impact the cancellation would have on long-distance runners across the nation.
“This is one of our biggest events as BAB, and it’s unfortunate that we won’t have the race this year. It’s a huge blow to our long-distance runners, who look forward to this event every year. Our sponsors have indicated that they are not in a position to host the marathon this year. However, we remain hopeful that the event will return next year, bigger and better than before. We know the significance of this marathon, not just for the runners, but for the whole community, and we are confident our sponsors will bring it back,” said Madanyika.
The Matopos Ultra Marathon, which first began in 1963, has grown in prominence over the years, becoming a popular race that attracts participants both locally and internationally.
Sponsored by PPC Zimbabwe since 2013, the marathon has gained a loyal following due to its scenic route through the Matopos Hills, a Unesco World Heritage Site. With the current route gaining popularity among sports enthusiasts, the event typically attracts around 4,500 runners annually.
Despite this setback, the event’s rich history and its status as one of Zimbabwe’s premier marathons suggest that a promising return is likely in the future.
—@innocentkurira
