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UNHERALDED Nedbank Zimbabwe athlete Prosper Mutwira broke away from the leading pack soon after the 33km mark to win the 2024 PPC Matopos 33 Miler convincingly on a chilly morning in Bulawayo yesterday.
He clocked 3 hours 06 minutes 06 seconds.
His time is one of the best on the course and an improvement to Innocent Chimbidzikai’s 3 hours 12 minutes 37 seconds run the last time the event was held in 2019.
There was a five-year hiatus because of Covid-19.
Despite the time being top notch, however, he could not beat Tommy Lazarus’ record of 3 hours 03 minutes 18 seconds set in 1984.
“I broke away with 20km to go and I led all the way to win this race. I have participated in the 33 Miler since 2016 and my best finish was fifth position.
“I am happy that this time I won it,” said an ecstatic Mutwira after crossing the line in convincing fashion a minute ahead of Zimbabwe Correctional Services athlete Jonathan Chinyoka.
Chinyoka blamed his valves for the second spot.
“As we were about to enter the main road towards the city after leaving the Matopos National Park, I stopped to urinate and could not catch up with him.
“I had prepared for the Two Oceans instead and did not get a sponsor so I decided to come here. I was confident I could win,” said Chinyoka.
A better run in the last 8kms saw him outpace the chasing pack to claim a time of 3 hours 07 minutes 05 seconds.
Black Rhinos’ Trust Hove was third in 3 hours 09 minutes 19 seconds with Airforce of Zimbabwe’s Trust Hove fourth in 3 hours 09 minutes 57 seconds and Zimplats Jacob Mukoneri was fifth in 3 hours 16 minutes 04 seconds.
Veterans Mike Fokorani and Nkosiyazi Sibanda were seventh and eighth in times of 3 hours 17 minutes 42 seconds and 3 hours 18 minutes 26 seconds respectively.
Lucky Munsaka of Blanket Mine who had appeared to be the pacesetter at some stage could only settle for ninth to make it to athletes for Blanket Mine in the top 10 with Sibanda. His time was 3 hours 23 minutes 28 seconds.
The day belonged to Nedbank Zimbabwe in the 33 Miler as Chiedza Chokore retained the title she had won in 2019 running a superb 3 hours 45 minutes 46 seconds. The low temperatures and slight drizzle appear to have been the right ingredients to spur athletes into better performances.
On her way to claiming the US$2000 winners’ prize which was the same as men, she chopped off 12 minutes from her last race where she finished in 3 hours 57 minutes 17 seconds for a time that could now be a course record.
Rudo Mhonderwa was second in 3 hours 49 minutes 49 seconds and she runs for Cadence.
Mutare Runners’ Neviah Maganzo was third in 3 hours 51 minutes 05 seconds.
In both categories the winners received US$2000, runners-up US$1 300, 3rd 600, 4th 500, 5th US$250, 6th US$200, 7th US$150, 8th US$100, 9th US$100, 10th US$100.
Online Reporter