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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
OVER 3 000 runners will take part in the various races on offer in the PPC Matopos Marathon to be held on Saturday morning.
At the close of registration at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Friday, 3 243 had registered , with that number expected to go up since registration for the 5km fun run will still be open in the morning.
Nkosana Mapuma, the PPC Zimbabwe general manager sales and marketing indicated that their intention was to have 3 000 runners and they were delighted to have exceed that mark.
“We targeted 3 000 and we surpassed our target. This makes us really grateful because it shows that the PPC Matopos Marathon has truly become a big calendar event in Zimbabwe. We wanted to stage a world class event marathon and the growth in numbers throughout the years shows our commitment and that of the runners,’’ Mapuma said.
According to Mapuma, PPC’s desire is to make the marathon a regional event next year, which should see it attracting even bigger numbers.
“We will target larger numbers next year as we move to make the marathon a regional race.”
Information obtained indicated that for the 53km ultra marathon, last year’s winner Andrew Chimbidzikai, Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Marko Mambo, Mike Fokorani and Peter Tumbare are some of the top male athletes who have registered to run. For the women, Monica Kativhu, Linnet Tom, Margaret Mahohoma and Fatima Hassin will take to the road on Saturday morning.
Munyaradzi Jari, Wellington Varevi, Tendai Zimuto and Misheck Sithole are some of the favourites in the men’s 21.1km half marathon.
The 53km ultra marathon starts inside the Matobo National Park and concludes at BAC. Just after Woolandale Road is where the 21.1km gets underway and ends at BAC. Tshabalala Sanctuary is the starting point for the 10km fun run with its conclusion being at BAC which is also the starting as well as ending point for the 5km.
PPC Zimbabwe managing director, Kelibone Masiyane on 28 March announced that they had tripled the prize money with the winners of the 53km for men and women to walk away with RGTS$3 000 each, RTGS $2 250 is in store for those who will finish second while RTGS$1 500 is for third placed runners. For the 21.1km, a cash reward of RTGS$ 1 500 will be given to the winners, followed by $975 for second place and RTGS$675 for athletes who will finish third.
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Temba Dube