HILMAX Athletics Club’s long-distance runner Monica Kativhu successfully defended her Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe-sponsored Matopos 33-miler ultra-marathon in a race that started at Moth Shrine in Matopo and ended at Bulawayo Athletics Club yesterday.
Ronald Moyo Sports Reporter
In a gruelling race that saw athletes enduring a ragged and bumpy terrain from one of the rockiest areas in the country, it is Kativhu who emerged victorious in the women’s category romping home in four hours, six mins and 47secs to take home a cool $750 first prize money.
She got the better of Muchaneta Gwata and veteran athlete Margret Mahohoma who crossed the finishing line in four hours, 26mins 36secs and four hours, 43mins 46secs respectively. Gwata got $500 for coming second while Mahohoma pocketed $350 for being the third athlete to finish the 53km race in the women’s category.
The ecstatic Kativhu said she was impressed by her improved time compared to last year’s in the same competition.
“The race was good though the competition was tough. I am happy I managed to fight and win this competition for the second time. I am even more interested in my time. It shows that there is improvement from last year. The race is a good start as I am preparing for the Comrades marathon in South Africa,” Kativhu said.
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Last year Kativhu finished the same race in five hours four minutes 51secs being the only woman to finish the marathon after her counterpart Julia Nemhara failed to finish the race.
In the men’s category it was the unheralded Charles Soza from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS)-Mutare who pocketed the first prize money.
Soza was heading to South Africa for a 50km Loskop Marathon that took place at Needburg yesterday, but was diverted from the South African border by circumstances as he failed to secure funds to proceed. He hit the tap in three hours 11 mins two secs, beating last year’s time set by Michael Ngaaseke who did not take part in the competition.
The veteran athlete romped home in three hours 16mins 42secs to win last years’ competition, but Tommy Lazarus’ three hours, three minutes and 18secs set in 1984 is still a record to beat.
Soza got the better of club-mate Lyno Muchena and (ZPCS)-Harare’s Point Chaza who finished in three hours, 14mins and 14secs, and three hours 14mins and 22secs to pocket $500 and $350 respectively.
Athletes who came fourth and fifth in the ultra-marathon in both women and men’s sections pocketed $300 and $250 while positions six to 10 got $50 each. Elijah Mabhunu who hit the tap in one hour, three minutes 13secs beat Wirimayi Zhuwawo (one hour, five minutes) and Jonathan Chinyoka who finished third in one hour, five minute 30secs.
Mabhunu went home $500 richer. Zhuwawo pocketed $250 while Chinyoka got $175. Melford Moyo and Magadaline Madzivire pocketed $300 each for winning the men and women’s wheelchair 21km category respectively.
