Break 40-year record, BAB boss urges athletes

BULAWAYO Athletics Board chairman, Watson Madanyika, has challenged athletes to break Tommy Lazarus’ 40-year-old PPC Matopos 33 Miler record of three hours three minutes 18 seconds.

Despite a strong field of local and three international athletes attempting to beat the record, none were successful. One Botswana and two athletes from Kenya took part in the event.

Nedbank Zimbabwe athlete, Prosper Mutirwa, won the men’s race in three hours six minutes six seconds to pocket US$2 000, while Chiedza Chokore claimed the women’s title in three hours 49 minutes 49 seconds. She probably ran the course record if Madanyika’s assertion is anything to go by.

Madanyika has challenged male athletes in particular, to push themselves in order to break Lazarus’ record, which he believes can be done. The marathon on Sunday attracted runners from all provinces of Zimbabwe and offered participants good remuneration.

“We have checked our records dating back to the 1990s, no one has run a better time than Chokore, in the last 30 years. Our records from the 1960s to date are missing that kind of information, and it is work in progress. We are working on it, but as far as we stand, her three hours 49 minutes 49 seconds is the best in many years,” said Madanyika.

Chokore bagged the win, to retain the crown she claimed in 2019 when the event was last run. In 2019, she won it in three hours 57 minutes 17 seconds. But it is in the men’s field that Madanyika challenged athletes to break the barrier.

“I encourage athletes to work hard, so that they break the 40-year-old record,” said Madanyika yesterday after watching more than 2 300 runners fail to beat the record.

“I’m very excited. The competition went well and we had participants from all the provinces. The prize money was good, participants, professionals and non-professionals were all happy, the water points were well manned,” said Madanyika.

With good marathon events now few, not only in Bulawayo, but countrywide, Madanyika said the event was a good welcome after a five-year hiatus due to Covid-19.

He said it filled a void in the absence of other competitions for athletes to gear up for international events. International competitions give Zimbabwean athletes a good livelihood, as they pay well.

“I would like to thank PPC for keeping our athletes busy as you know some of them use such events to prepare for international competitions,” said Madanyika.

PPC spokesperson, Thando Khumalo, said as sponsors, they were happy with the event.

“The marathon went smoothly, and was very competitive in all fields. We had just over 2 000 runners who took part. After a five-year absence, we were happy with the turnout,” said Khumalo.

Munyaradzi Katiyo won the men’s 21km wheelchair event with Stella Jongwe claiming the women’s prize. Both were given US$1 300 each for the win.

In the men’s elite category half marathon Moses, Taricino was the winner with Ethel Pangiso taking the women’s race. Mutwira, who won the 33 Miler, said he will not be taking part in the Comrades Marathon because at 28, he feels he is still too young for longer races.

Jonathan Chinyoka, who was second in the national ultimate ultra-marathon, in three hours seven minutes five seconds, is eager to take part in this year’s Comrades if he finds a sponsor. The next Comrades event is in South Africa in two months’ time.

Now, focus for most athletes is the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre Four-Minute-Mile Challenge.