PPC Matopos 33-Miler race gets overwhelming response

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
SUNDAY’S PPC Matopos 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon has received overwhelming response with more than 100 athletes that include top runners registering.

Organisers of the race had by midmorning yesterday received 102 entries made up of 15 for the Ultra-Marathon, 12 for Half Marathon and the rest registering for the Fun Race.

For one to compete at the race, they have to pay $10 for the Ultra-Marathon and Half-Marathon, $50 for relays and $5 for the Fun Run.

Sizwakele Ndlovu, the race director said they were expecting a big turn up on the final day of registration.

“I think we will have more big names signing up on Saturday. Seasoned athletes prefer to register on the eve of the race and that’s why we’re gearing up for a busy Saturday,” she said.

The competition is being sponsored to the tune of $10,000.

Winners in both categories — men and women — of the 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon will each pocket $750.

Last year’s winners were Charles Soza in the men’s category with Monica Kativhu successfully defending her title.

Kativhu is one of the athletes who have confirmed that they will be part of this year’s edition.

The Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu said some of the country’s top road-runners that have confirmed being part of the event include Constance Nyasango, Olivia Chitate and Elijah Mabhunu.

Olympian Wirimayi Juwawo, Blanket Mine’s Nkosiyazi Sibanda and ZRP Fairbridge duo of Ngoni Ncube and Isaac Mpofu will also battle it out in the race.

“The Matopos race is one of our biggest events on our calendar and as such athletes always want to be part of it. The good thing is that most of our long distance runners have confirmed that they will be here and this means we will have a good event,” Mpofu said.

The PPC Matopos 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon was re-introduced three years ago after a long sabbatical and will be used as a preparatory race for the Comrades Marathon and other international events.

The course has been measured and certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and this has raised the status of the marathon to being a Qualifying Event for international races including the Comrades.

Meanwhile, BBA have cancelled Saturday’s Track and Field competition that were supposed to be held at White City Stadium due to unavailability of the facility.

“We’re going to reschedule the BBA Track and Field race to a later date.

“Athletes who wanted to use Saturday’s event as a qualifier for the ZITF 4-Minute Mile should not despair because more races will be held before the May 2 final,” said Mpofu.