Chronicle Editor
Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
NATIONAL coach, Pamela Fulton believes the National Duathlon Championships held over the weekend at Donnybrook Race Track provided their members a platform to gear up for the 2024-2025 triathlon season.
Triathlon Zimbabwe got its programme underway with duathlon events, ahead of the full triathlon season. The event attracted several regular tri-athletes and participants from cycling.
Upcoming athletes such as Rachel O’Donoghue and Zander Botha retained their titles in the youth category super sprint event.
Callum Smith and Stanley Chasakara were also among the familiar faces as they brace for the season. The national association held few duathlon events prior to Sunday’s national championships.
With the first triathlon selection event scheduled for October 27, Fulton said the performance by the tri-athletes was encouraging.
“Looking at the athletes that raced today (Sunday), the numbers are pretty small in the sprint and super sprint category.
“But the performance from the athletes that were here was phenomenal. So, this was a fantastic training session for them.
“The first race is always your hardest and it’s a bit of a shock to the system and from now on, when they go into triathlon, it’s going to be a lot easier for them having done this event today.”
The athletes will be competing for qualification to the South Africa Championships (youths and juniors) and next year’s Africa Championships.
They will also be looking forward to the Trout-beck event due to take place in March next year.
In a move to increase numbers and development of the sport from grassroots, the national association has expanded the schools event to make it a series that will see three events being held for schools.
“Next weekend, we have got the Pink Day for breast cancer and then the first selection race will be at the end of October. And that will also be the first of the school events.
“So, it’s going to be a big event. We have had great support today from Wise Owl, from Abbeys from St John’s and we will be expecting these schools as well as six other schools for that event.
“That will be the first selection race, the first series’ (race) for the schools’ events. I think there will be seven selection races over the season where these athletes can try and qualify to go to the SA Champs,” said Fulton.
Fulton paid tribute to the cycling federation for its continued support for the duathlon championships.
Speaking after Sunday’s race, Botha expressed satisfaction with his preparedness for the season as the duathlon event presented an opportunity to assess his run and bike.
“My first run, I did great. I felt very strong, so I am pretty confident of my run in the upcoming triathlon.
“I just got a new bicycle and I am looking forward to using it for the triathlon. The only thing that didn’t happen today was the swim. I need to train hard for that and feel pretty confident for the season.
“My target is time, not necessarily position, (but) more on personal time to get a sub-40minute,” said the 14-year-old.
Chasakara is targeting qualification for the Africa Triathlon Championships.
“I think this is the year I must qualify for the Africa Championships. I need to work towards that and maybe get a podium for my country. And best case scenario podium for the actual Junior Cup at Troutbeck,” Chasakara said.
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