Tumbare wins PPC race

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AIR Force of Zimbabwe road-runner Peter Tumbare won the PPC sponsored Matopos 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon that started at Moth Shrine in the Matopo National Park and ended at Bulawayo Athletics Club yesterday. Tumbare, who was fifth in last year’s race, won the gruelling race that saw athletes enduring a rugged and bumpy terrain from one of the rockiest areas in the country. He romped home in three hours 12 minutes and 10 seconds.

For his effort, Tumbare took home $850 prize money.

Tumbare outsprinted Leonard Koki, who finished in second place 30 seconds later.

“I’m happy with this victory because I put in a lot of work. The last time I didn’t prepare well for the race, but this time I was well prepared. The race was tough in the early stages, but it got easier as we went. I managed to sprint in the last one kilometre and I beat Koki,” Tumbare said.

Koki, who improved from his third place finish last year, said he was using the race to prepare for the Comrades Marathon run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in South Africa on May 29.

“It was easy preparing for the race. I’m preparing for the Comrades Marathon. I led for the better part of the way, but lost because I’m not much of a sprinter, but an endurance kind of athlete. I can maintain my speed, but kicking at the end of the race is a problem for me. The competition was tough; there were a number of good athletes and I believe I got the right training for the Comrades,” said Koki.

In the women’s category, Monica Kativhu, who won the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Matopos 33-Miler, reclaimed her crown yesterday.

Kativhu clocked four hours two minutes and 45 seconds to take the $850 winner’s cheque.

Tawapo Bhiri was second in four hours 10 minutes 15 seconds, while veteran long distance runner Samukeliso Moyo was a distant third in four hours 59 minutes 11 seconds.

A star-studded Half-Marathon saw Wirimai Juwawo winning the men’s race after crossing the line in one hour seven minutes and 23 seconds.

Chiedza Chokore won the women’s category coming home in one hour 21 minutes and 14 seconds.

Results

33-Miler

Men: 1. Peter Tumbare (Airforce, 3hrs 12mins 10sec); 2. Leonard Koki (ZNA One Brigade, 3hrs 12mins 30sec); 3. Oliver Kandiero (Airforce, 3hrs 17mins 00sec); 4. Kudakwashe Kandwa (ZimPost, 3hrs 19mins 07sec); 5. Lyno Muchena (3hrs 20mins 53sec)

Women: 1. Monica Kativhu (HAC, 4hrs 02mins 45sec), 2. Tawapo Bhiri (Independent, 4hrs 10mins 15sec), 3. Samukeliso Moyo (Power House, 4hrs 59mins 11sec), 4. Linnet Tomu (Independent, 5hrs 45mins 29sec), 5. Cassey-Annne Marais (Independent, 5hrs 52mins 57sec)

Half-Marathon (21.1km)

Men: 1. Wirimai Juwawo (1hr 07mins 23sec); 2. Jonathan Chinyoka (1hr 07min 49sec); 3. Millen Matende (1hr 08mins 06sec)

Women: 1. Chiedza Chokore (1hr 21mins 14sec); 2. Rudo Mhonderwa (1hr 23mins 12sec); 3. Patience Murowe (1hr 24mins 00sec)