Thumps up Tanganda Half marathon, but…

30 Jun, 2017 - 00:06 0 Views
Thumps up Tanganda Half marathon, but…

The ManicaPost

Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE long distance running legend, Abel Chimukoko, thinks the Tanganda Tea Half Marathon has grown in leaps and bounds to match international standards, but potholes dotted along the route that athletes use make a bad advert to an otherwise well organised race.

Mr Madrid as the 45-year-old Chimukoko was nicknamed during his heydays made a guest appearance and took part in the 2017 edition of the Tanganda Half Marathon on Sunday in Mutare.

After representing the country in numerous prestigious international competitions, he earned the nickname Mr Madrid after his sterling performances in the Madrid 10km, Madrid Half Marathon as well as the Madrid 42km races in 2003 in Spain.

“I think this was a good race. It has actually evolved from the time I used to come down here to take part in this race. It is now of international standards especially when one considers the way the organisers have prepared for it.

“Even the adherence to stipulated starting times was just awesome. It was 6.30am sharp. That is commendable. However, I was a bit disturbed by the route that athletes used. There were a lot of potholes and this affects not only long distance runners, but those using wheelchairs. This is something they have to seriously look into,” he said.

On Sunday, Olympian, Wirimayi Zhuwawo’s one hour, two minute and 42 seconds record in the 2012 Tanganda Half Marathon remained intact after Mutare independent long distance runner, Micheck Sithole took one hour five minutes to be the first to hit the finishing line and land the first prize.

Sithole also won the 21km contest of the PPC Matopos Ultra Marathon in April, and is a lone runner from Mutare.

However, the race proved to be a difficult one for most of the athletes as the temperatures in the eastern border city recorded a low of 17 degrees at the start of the race at 6.30am.

Given the 1 120 metres altitude level and the undulating terrain of Mutare, it was a challenge for competitors from other regions with lower altitude levels, but for Sithole these conditions seemed perfect, having been familiar with the weather and route course.

He attributed the triumph to a rigorous training schedule in the past three months.

“I am glad that I won it this time. It had been a long time since anyone from Mutare won this race. I trained under these conditions for a long time and that is what made it easy for me to win. This is for all the runners in Mutare. I urge young athletes to follow suit,” said Sithole.

Millan Matende from Black Rhinos came close after finishing the race after one hour six minutes.

In third place was Conisious Nyamutsita.

Impressive Rudo Mhondera managed to break Rutendo Nyahora’s one hour, 18 minutes record set in 2016 in the women’s category after the Marondera-based athlete finished the race in one hour 11 minutes in the women’s category.

Mhondera (21) said her winning formula was the advice she got from her team Powerhouse Racing.

“I would like to thank my teammates at Powerhouse. Their encouragement has me the champion that I am today. It was all about training and having the right frame of mind for the race.”

Patience Garauzivo of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services came second in the ladies’ race in one hour 12 minutes.

Bertha Chikanga from Mutare was five minutes behind to finish on third position.

Wheelchair pacers were not to be outdone as Melford Moyo maintained dominance and got the first prize.

Edmund Makutya came first in the 10km race.

Makutya has represented the country in most international races and has led Team Zimbabwe as the captain for the past six years.

Interestingly, traditional Tanganda Half Marathon participants were this time outpaced.

The 2016 men’s winner Kelvin Pangiso suffered an injury this year and opted for the less attractive 10km stretch.

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