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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
BLACK Rhinos Athletics Club’s Andrew Chimbidzai won a tightly contested PPC Matopos 33 Miler Ultra Marathon men’s race as he summoned all his energy in the final stretch to finish five seconds ahead of Nkosiyazi Sibanda.
Chimbidzai completed the race in three hours 12,23 minutes while Sibanda reached the finish line in three hours 12,28 minutes. Rhinos’ Peter Tumbare was third coming in, in three hours 14,21 minutes.
The race recorded a massive turnout with 2 500 athletes, fun runners and fitness enthusiasts taking part in the four races that are part of the PPC Matopos Marathon nearly double the 1 300 runners who turned up last year.
The ultra-marathon comprises the main 53km race, 21km race, 10km and 5km fun runs. In the women’s section, Mr Pace’s Chiedza Chikore was first in four hours 09,10 minutes followed by Muchaneta Gwata who completed the race in four hours 09,54 and Magreth Mahohoma was third finishing in four hours 10,01 minutes.
Chimbidzai and Sibanda steadily took the lead of the 53km race, taking front places along with a few other athletes but they broke away from the pack with three kilometres to go as they headed for a photo finish.
Sibanda proved a strong contender and could have won the race but with approximately a kilometre to go, he had to turn back after following the lead car away from the race route and despite his efforts to take on Chimbidzai, the incident seemingly depleted his energy reserves.
Chimbidzai was happy with the win saying the race was competitive and very hard, adding he started preparations last November and this could have worked in his advantage.
“I studied the other runners from the start but they kept up their pace and I thought I would lose them with 10km remaining but Nkosiyazi did not let up so I relaxed and waited for the final stretch. I started training in November in Harare then I moved to Mutare where the conditions are tough,” he said.
Sibanda, of Blanket Mine said coming second was a great result for him as it was his first try in the 53km race. He said the incident that saw him having to turn back a little could have been his undoing.
“I wanted to keep up with those who have been here before so I kept up, unfortunately I lost it in the final stretch but I am happy with my performance and hope to win it next year,” said Sibanda.
PPC managing director, Kelibone Masiyane said he was happy with the turnout this year saying there was also an all-round improvement in the hosting of the race.
“It was a great race, the turnout was fantastic as it was bigger than last year and this is what we had been expecting. On our side, we improved the hosting of the race in partnership with the National Athletics Association as we ensured there are adequate officials and personnel placed at the right places for the smooth running of the race,” he said.
Masiyane said they are committed to adopting international standards in hosting the event as witnessed by the engagement of timing giants, ChampionChip Africa to time the 21km and 53km races, a first in Zimbabwe.
ChampionChip is one of the biggest timing companies in Africa and are the timers of top South African marathons, the Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons. Masiyane said they will continue to benchmark against the best in the world and measure their performance against top races such as the Comrades and the Two Oceans.
He said based on performance of the marathon in the last six years, they have been part of the race, PPC will continue not only supporting the sporting event but growing it to international prominence.
In the 21km race, Misheck Sithole emerged first in one hour 05,13 seconds in the men’s category and was followed by Munyaradzi Jari who crossed the finish line four seconds later and Wirimai Juwawo was third seven seconds after Sithole.
In the women’s section, Bertha Chikanga crossed the finish line first in one hour 18,53 minutes while Olivia Chitate was second in one hour 20,52 and Tryfina Picardo came in third in one hour 24,17 minutes. -@rasmthembo
Online Reporter