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DANGAMVURA-born long-distance runner, Tendai Chamwandoita scooped a bronze medal in the just ended Two Oceans Marathon (Atlantic to Indian Ocean) race held in Cape Town in South Africa last Saturday.
The 42-year-old runner ran the 56km race in 4 hours 31 minutes in a tightly contested race that saw over 26 000 runners from across the world participating.
The lanky runner believes he could have done much better if the hilly route was familiar to him. He said the chilly weather also affected him that he had to adjust and finish up in a respectable position. His Zimbabwean counterpart and South African-based runner, Moffat Mistake fared better and won a silver medal after finishing the race in 3 hours 53 minutes.
“There were several challenges I had to endure. After travelling for about 19 hours from Johannesburg to Capetown, I had to spend more time resting than preparing. I only got to know about the route a few minutes before the race.
“The weather was warm when we started the race before it started raining when approaching the Atlantic Ocean, I am however proud of this achievement and I believe I am becoming better with time,” said Chamwandoita.
He paid tribute to Minister of State for Manicaland provincial Affairs, Mandy Chimene who came aboard with some assistance such as food and transport. He said he was now shifting his focus to the 90km Comrades Marathon which will be held in the same country on May 31.
“I will be in Zimbabwe next week to prepare for the Comrades Marathon which is more challenging. I will run twice to Rusape and Vumba area and probably source for some funds for air fares particularly from Johannesburg to Capetown,” he said.
Although age seems to be catching up with him, the dedicated runner’s previous accolades include a silver medal in the 2013 – 2014 Two Countries Marathon (from Beitbridge to Musina) as well as a bronze medal in the 56km Two Oceans Marathon.
Online Reporter