Matopos 33-miler marathon: more than just a race

Raymond Jaravaza .
THE PPC Matopos 33-miler ultra-marathon is proving to be more than just a race with a school or clinic in the Matobo District set to be developed by the giant firm as part of their efforts to give back to the community.

This yeara��s marathon, slated for April 1, will be held from the usual starting point at Matopos National Park and end at Bulawayo Athletic Club.

a�?As the ultra-marathon approaches, PPC Zimbabwe will identify a school or clinic in Matobo district to develop. In this way, we are going beyond sport to leave a lasting legacy to Matobo, developing and uplifting the area,a�? said PPC Zimbabwe managing director Kelibone Masiyane.

Athletes for this yeara��s race will also have an extra incentive to work their socks off in preparation for the annual event after the sponsors increased the prize money to $1 000 for the winners.

Last yeara��s winners in both the men and women category walked away with $850.

The race had been sponsored to the tune of $13 000 and will this year be increased by 17 percent to $16 000.

a�?Winners will each receive $1 000 for the 33-miler, which is a good incentive and motivation for the runners. We have increased our pledge by 17 percent this year to $16 000 from last yeara��s $13 000 and that is good news for the runners,a�? he said.

Runners-up will each get $750 for the open category, while the veterans, masters and grandmasters winners will receive $400 each for the full marathon.

For the half marathon – a 21km race – winners in the men and womena��s sections will receive $500 each with the wheelchair category prizes pegged at $400 for the winners in each section.

Bulawayo Athletic Board (BAB) chairman Manuel Mpofu said they were expecting more than 700 athletes this year compared last yeara��s 600 with runners from outside the country also expected to participate in the marathon.

The PPC 33-miler (56km) is an International Association of Athletics Federations-certified race which is a qualifying event for international races including South Africaa��s Comrades Marathon.

Registration began on Monday with athletes paying $10 for the ultra-marathon and half-marathon and $5 for the 10km race and 5km Fun Run.