The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ATHLETES taking part in this year’s PPC Matopos 33 Miler ultra marathon set for 6 April will have an added incentive after sponsors of the event, PPC Zimbabwe tripled the prize money.
Speaking at the official launch at the company’s headquarters in Bulawayo, PPC Zimbabwe general manager sales and marketing, Nkosana Mapuma said the prize package had been upped from $16 100 to $48 300. The rewards are in RTGS dollars.
The development means that the overall winners of the ultra marathon for both men and women will walk away with $3 000, up from the $1 000 won by those who finished first last year.
“We have tripled the prizes from last year, which was $16 100 to $48 300 so all the categories will receive times three what was on offer last year. The main prize for women and men will jump form $1 000 to $3 000 local currency. This is very good news for all the athletes and the community of Bulawayo,’’ Mapuma said.
PPC Zimbabwe managing director, Kelibone Masiyane described the Matopos 33-Miler as a unique event seeing that it starts at the Matobo National Park.
“It is an adventure, it is no ordinary race, it is set against the incredible backdrop of Matobo Hills, a unique adventure no runner could find anywhere else. We try to put together an event that satisfies and fulfils the needs for each and every participant,” Masiyane said.
The PPC boss also announced that they had entered into an arrangement with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority which will see ZimParks provide accommodation at reduced rates at their Maleme Rest Camp, which would be ideal for athletes coming from faraway places. ZimParks are also sponsoring three family of four gateways at any of their accommodation facilities around the country for three marathon winners of their choice.
“PPC is proud to be partnering this year for the first time with ZimParks, in an effort to maximise on the natural beauty of Matopo Hills and acknowledge the huge tourism potential that it holds, ZimParks has come on board with discounted accommodation rates at its Maleme Rest Camp especially for the out of town runners,’’ said Masiyane.
So far, just over 650 athletes have registered for the various races on offer on the day with the registration taking place at the PPC headquarters. Last year, 2 400 athletes took part in 2018 and this year the organisers are targeting 3 500.
@Mdawini_29
