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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
PPC Zimbabwe will tomorrow hold the official launch for the prestigious Matopos 33-Miler ultra marathon with a Press conference to be addressed by the company’s managing director, Kelibone Masiyane.
A spokesperson for the race said the Press conference, to be held at the PPC head office, will roll out the details of the upcoming ultra-marathon to the local media in preparation for the race day on 1 April, anticipated to attract up to 750 athletes from throughout the country.
“The PPC Matopos 33-Miler, the only ultra-marathon race in the country, with a course measured and certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, is also a qualifying event for all international marathons, including the world-renowned Comrades in South Africa. Local print and broadcast Press, who will be covering the 33 Miler on both social and traditional media in the run-up to the event as well as on the race day, have been invited to listen to the MD’s address and obtain all the logistical information, including route, registration and prize money,’’ said the spokesperson.
Last year Air Force of Zimbabwe runner, Peter Mutumbare won the 33-Miler men’s section while Monica Kativhu was the first woman to cross the finishing line. Mutumbare pocketed $850 with the same amount going Kativhu’s way. Besides the 53 kilometre ultra-marathon, there is also the 21km half marathon, 10km and 5km races run on the same day from different starting points with all the competitions concluding at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
According to the event website, the Matopos 33 Miler was first run in 1963, along much the identical route as being used for the current race and is the only ultra-marathon in Zimbabwe. The race starts in the wonderful Matobo National Park, in the heart of the Matobo Hills World Heritage Site. PPC Zimbabwe revived the race in 2013 and has been sponsoring it ever since.
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