Athletes gear up for Comrades with Independence Run

Lovemore Dube

FITNESS First Athletics Club members today engaged in a gruelling 50km road race as part of their preparations for the Comrades Marathon.

Club’s spokesperson Mudiwa Nyirenda said they had decided to have the Independence Run for wellness, camaraderie and preparations for some of their members in the absence of the Matopos 33 Miler for the epic South African ultra-marathon.

“The club members are competing to commemorate Independence Day. Others, in the absence of the Matopos 33 Miler, are using this 50km race to prepare for the Comrades Marathon.

“The weather is fine, it is drizzling and they won’t be dehydrated that much,” said Nyirenda.

Zimbabwe athletes have used the PPC Matopos 33 Miler to qualify for the Comrades or to prepare for it.

Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi is the most successful Comrades Marathon runner with three titles.

The Comrades Marathon takes place in June.