PPC Matopos 33 miler marathon: a race against time and history

IT has been four decades since Tommy Lazarus ran the race of his life at the PPC Matopos 33 Miler Marathon, setting a course record of three hours, three minutes and 18 seconds that still stands today.

The event, which takes place in the scenic Matobo National Park, has seen many ups and downs over the years, but the record remains unchallenged.

The last time the race was held in 2019, Andrew Chimbidzikai of Black Rhinos Athletics Club came close to breaking the record but still fell short by nine minutes and 19 seconds.

He won the 53km ultra marathon in three hours, 12 minutes and 37 seconds, beating a field of more than 3 000 athletes who participated in different categories.

This year, the race is back after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the anticipation is high. Will anyone be able to break the record that has defied generations of runners? Will anyone be able to match the feat of Lazarus, who ran at an average pace of 3:28 minutes per kilometre?

The opinions of athletics experts are divided on this question. Some believe that the record is too hard to beat, while others think that it is possible with the right training and conditions.

Manuel Mpofu, a seasoned coach and administrator, says that the modern-day athlete is not motivated by records, but by prize money.

“The modern-day athlete is competing for the prize money and moving to the next event for more money. Their goal is just to be first to the finish line and get the prize money. It’s no longer about the records,” he said.

However, Themba Mhlophe, a renowned coach in his own right, disagrees. He says that the record can be broken with the advances in athletics science and technology.

“The possibility is there. Nowadays, athletics has become scientific and the training methods have improved, which means athletes now have all the resources to succeed and make records of their own,” he said.

Watson Madanyika, the chairperson of the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab), is also optimistic that the record can be broken.

He cites the performance of Zimbabwean athletes who have qualified for the World Championships and Olympics as a sign of their potential.

“With the way athletes are performing, it is possible to have the record broken. We have athletes qualifying for the World Championships and Olympics. I believe it is possible for athletes coming for the event to break the record,” he said.

The race, which is one of the biggest in the country, also serves as a qualifier for South Africa’s premier ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon.

The winners of the 53km ultra marathon in both the men and women’s categories will get US$2 000, while the rest of the prize breakdown will be announced later.

Prizes will also be given to the top 10 finishers in the other categories, which include the 21,1km half marathon, the 10km fun run, and the 5km run.

The 53km ultra-marathon starts inside the Matobo National Park, while the 21,1km half marathon starts a few metres from Woolandale Road, and the 10km fun run starts at the Tshabalala Sanctuary.

The 5km run starts and ends at the Bulawayo Athletics Club (BAC), which is also the finish point for all the other races.

Registration for the race was expected to open online on Thursday, while physical registration will commence at BAC on a date to be announced.

Registration fees are pegged at US$20 for the 53km marathon and half marathon, and US$10 for the other categories. — @innocentskizoe