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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
PPC Matopos 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon defending men and women’s champions Peter Tumbare and Monica Kativhu headline a host of top athletes that will compete at today’s race.

Air Force of Zimbabwe athlete, Tumbare won last year’s race in three hours 12 minutes and 10 seconds while Kativhu clocked four hours two minutes and 45 seconds. Both athletes took home $850.

The winners’ purse has been increased to $1 000, a development that might see a better time recorded as athletes battle it out for the top prize.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman Manuel Mpofu said they are ready for the competition which draws a competitive field made up of seasoned athletes from around the country. This year’s edition is likely to draw a bigger crowd compared to the last edition which had 590 athletes for the 33-Miler, half-marathon and 5KM fun run. Last year’s turnout overwhelmed Bab, which struggled with coordination at pick-up points resulting in the race starting late.

“We’re ready for this year’s edition and almost all the top athletes are here. It’s going to be an interesting event for those that are aiming at the prize monies while health enthusiasts, who are running for fun are also going to enjoy themselves,” said Mpofu.

Olympian, Wirimai Juwawo who won the men’s half-marathon in one hour seven minutes and 23 seconds and Chiedza Chokore came first in the women’s race in one hour 21 minutes and 14 seconds  are among top athletes competing today.

Lizzy Chokore, Constance Nyasango, Kevin Pangiso, Patience Murove, Samukeliso Moyo, Dumo Mkhwananzi, Phathisa Ngwabi, Tabitha Tsatsa, Ngonidzashe Ncube and Jonathan Chinyoka are also participating in today’s race.

The $1 000 prize money for the athlete that crosses the finish line first could be enough to change Kativhu’s mind and go for the title. Last year’s winners’ prize money was $850. Runners-up will each pocket $750 for the open category, while the veterans, masters and grandmasters’ winners will receive $400 each for the full marathon.

For the half marathon, winners in the men’s and women’s sections will receive $500 each, with the wheelchair category prizes pegged at $400 for the winners in each section. The 33-Miler begins at Moth Shrine, at Matopos National Park at 5:30AM with the half-marathon taking off from Matopos Road/Woolandale Road at 6:30AM.

The 10km race will start opposite the Tshabalala Game Sanctuary at 7:30AM, with 5k Fun Run will start and finish at BAC.

— @ZililoR