New Zimbabwe.com
30th May 2011
At the finish line … Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry  was with Muzhingi’s son, and the runner’s wife and brother at the race finish line on Sunday
Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingi won the Comrades Marathon for a third time on the trot on Sunday – one of the greatest sporting achievements ever.
Sports Minister David Coltart led the plaudits, describing Muzhingi’s treble as “truly remarkableâ€.
Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry, who was at the finishing line, said on Twitter: “Congratulations Stephen Muzhingi. Hat-trick! You make me proud to be a Zimbabwean!â€
Muzhingi, 33, became the first man in 23 years to win the world’s oldest and toughest endurance races three successive times with a convincing victory in the 86th edition of the race in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on Sunday.
Muzhingi’s compatriot Point Chaza had broken away early and held a lead of more than seven minutes at the halfway mark, which he crossed in 2:36.19, on record pace.
But Chaza faded soon after with Muzhingi and South Africa’s Fanie Matshipa storming past with 30km to go.
Matshipa looked to be in control, but Muzhingi’s experience showed and he stole clear with 14km remaining to win the 90km ultra-marathon in 5:32.45.
Muzhingi, who won the ‘down’ run the last two years, secured his maiden victory in the ‘up’ run to become the first athlete to win three titles in succession since Bruce Fordyce bagged his eighth straight win in 1988.
Sports Minister David Coltart watched the race on television and posted several Twitter updates during the race.
“Very few people seem to appreciate what a truly remarkable win Stephen Muzhingi has had today,†Coltart said. “He is a humble man from a poor background who has achieved this magnificent hat-trick without much of the backing that athletes receive elsewhere in the world.
“We need to turn out in force when Muzhingi returns so he knows that Zimbabwe is proud and mightily impressed with his achievements.â€