Bab overwhelmed with response

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE huge turnout for the PPC 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon overwhelmed the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab), who struggled with coordination at pickup points, resulting in Sunday’s race starting late. According to official Bab information, 590 athletes registered for the 33-Miler, half-marathon and the 5km fun run.

Bab were behind schedule and in some instances, athletes arrived at starting points with the race about to start.

Manuel Mpofu, the Bab chairman, said they were overwhelmed by the response, adding that his office will have to improve on event management.

“To be honest, we were overwhelmed because we failed to provide adequate manpower at the City Hall, which was the pick-up point. We had assigned two officials per bus, but I think in future we can improve and have more ushers to welcome the athletes and provide information about the races. Otherwise everything went well even though we were slightly behind schedule,” said Mpofu.

Air Force of Zimbabwe road-runner Peter Tumbare won the men’s main event in three hours 12 minutes 10 seconds, while Monica Kativhu came first in the women’s category, crossing the line in four hours two minutes, 45 seconds. Both athletes took home $850.

Olympian Wirimai Juwawo won the men’s Half-Marathon in one hour seven minutes, 23 seconds, while Chiedza Chokore came first in the women’s race in one hour 21 minutes, 14 seconds.

Mpofu thanked PPC Zimbabwe for supporting athletics and said they will lobby the sponsor to consider moving the finishing point to White City Stadium from the Bulawayo Athletic Club, in a bid to trigger interest in the city’s western suburbs.

The PPC 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon has a potential to become a better race if Bab and the sponsors embark on massive marketing of the event.

“The race is growing bigger with every passing edition and as Bab, we believe it can even draw a big turnout if we involve people from the western areas. We’ll lobby for the sponsors to consider having the race ending at White City Stadium where we have the potential of drawing more participants and spectators. Hopefully next year’s edition will be bigger than this,” said Mpofu.