Muzhingi’s plans for Presidential windfall

bonus awarded to him by President Mugabe yesterday.
It was a dream come true for Muzhingi at a luncheon held in honour of him and Big Brother Amplified winner Wendall Parsons and BBA participant Vimbai Mutinhiri.
Muzhingi, who has won the grueling 89km race three straight times since 2009, said he wants to invest his bonus wisely.
“When the reward was announced, I had a hiccup because I never expected anything of that sort but just to meet the President,” said Muzhingi.
“I know the time to give up running will come when age catches up with me and when that comes I do not want to regret,” he said.
He promised to complete a double next year, promising to win the 88th edition of the Comrades Marathon in the year President Mugabe turns 88.
The 88th edition of the Comrades marathon will take the route from Durban to Petermaritzburg.
“In 2009 I dedicated the race to my son, as I had just got married and received the news of his birth on the day (of the Comrades Marathon),” said Muzhingi.
“In 2010 the South African authorities, having seen me run, offered me two million rand to change my citizenship, but I refused.
“I was supposed to win the race to prove the strength of Zimbabwean athletes so I dedicated the race to Zimbabwe’s flag.
“This year I knew people were watching me so I dedicated the race to the Zimbabweans who were watching.
‘But, next year, I will dedicate the race, which will be held on June 3, to the President since it will be the 88th edition and President Mugabe will be turning 88 years.
“I want to complete a double run.”
He said he felt honored to finally meet the President, something that had been his wish since he won the race in 2009.
“I never thought I will get to this stage because I was just running like any ordinary athlete.
“I am so honoured today to meet the President,” he said.
In 2009, Muzhingi crossed the finishing line in 5 hours 23 minutes and became the first African, outside South Africa, to win the race in its 84 years. His winning time for this year was 5 hours 29 minutes. Russia’s Leonid Shvetsov holds the record for the ultimate human race at 5 hours 20 minutes. But in 2009 he was no match for Muzhingi after finishing second.