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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
DEFENDING PPC 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon champion Lyno Muchena will headline the list of Zimbabwe’s top athletes that will compete in this year’s edition on Sunday.

Manuel Mpofu, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman, said seven top athletes, Kevin Pangiso, Jonathan Chinyoka, Millen Matende, Samkeliso Moyo, Cephas Pasipamire, Trust Chidomaya and Muchena, have confirmed participation in the race.
Mpofu said registration closes tomorrow evening at the Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC).

For one to compete in the race, they have to pay $10 for the Ultra-Marathon, $50 for relays and $5 for the 5km Fun Run, which starts at Hamilton High School.

“We’re looking forward to a good field. Already, seven top athletes have confirmed that they are coming for the race and drawing big name-athletes is good for the race. Fitness enthusiasts and juniors can even register for the 5km Fun Run, which will start at Hamilton High School. We’re bracing for a big turnout, especially from upcoming athletes,” Mpofu said.

Muchena, a member of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services team, won last year’s men’s race in three hours 13 minutes 59 seconds, while veteran roadrunner Lizzie Chikore won the women’s race in three hours 52 minutes 22 seconds.

The PPC 33-Miler Ultra-Marathon course has been measured and certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and this has raised the status of the competition to a qualifying event for international races, including South Africa’s Comrades Marathon.

PPC have increased the sponsorship package for the event from $10,000 to $13,000.

PPC Zimbabwe managing director Kelibone Masiyane said they are expecting at least 1,000 athletes for the race, which will run under the theme “A healthy body is a healthy mind and a healthy mind builds a healthy nation”.