ZIMBABWE’s top extremely-distance athletes have confirmed participation at this year’s Matopos 33-miler (53km) extremely marathon taking region in Bulawayo on April 6.
Last year’s winners Andrew Chimbidzikai (senior men) of Black Rhinos Athletics Club and Mr. Pace’s Chiedza Chokore (ladies), maybe on the beginning line within the coronary heart of Matopos National Park to defend their titles.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) chairman Manuel Mpofu the day gone by additionally confirmed that Marko Mambo, who completed 5th final year in South Africa’s premier race, the Comrades Marathon, has additionally confirmed participation within the PPC Matopos race.
Six-time winner of the Econet Victoria Falls marathon Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine may also be within the contest.
“Athletes are confirming participation within the PPC marathon with over 500 athletes has registered to this point. So some distance so accurate, and the whole lot is almost set for the event. Marko Mambo, Chimbidzikai, and the sisters Chiedza and Lizzy Chokore have shown their participation. It is promising to be a better occasion than remaining yr,” Mpofu stated.
Lynn Muchena, who won the race in 2017, Tendai Zimuto, and Wellington Varevi inside the guys’ phase, are all in line to compete.
In the ladies’ classes, top athletes Bertha Chikanga and Rudo Mhonderwa are competing for this 12 months’ version.
The registration charges for this year’s race had been accelerated with athletes paying ZWR$25 for the 33-miler up from final year’s $10 and ZWR$20 for the half of marathon (21,1km) from final year’s $10.
Fitness and wellbeing enthusiasts wishing to take part in the 10km and 5km fun run and walk is paying ZWR$10 from closing year’s $five.
There is likewise a category for wheelchair athletes.
Chimbidzikai received the remaining yr’s extremely-marathon in three:12:23, beating Muchena’s 2017 record of 3:thirteen:28 at the same time as Chiedza crossed the completing line in 4:09:10 and every pocketed $1 000.
Sibanda came 2d inside the guys’ race in 3:12:28 at the same time as Peter Tumbare turned into quantity three in 3:14:21.
Mambo came fourth in 3:17:08 earlier than South Africa to represent the united states properly within the Comrades Marathon in July.
In the women segment, Mucheneta Gwata came in second in four:09:fifty four whilst Margaret Mahohoma was at the 1/3 spot in four:10:01.
