dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING Isaac Mpofu’s participation at the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon over the weekend, coach Benson Chauke is content with the progress he is making as they continue with their build-up for the Olympic Games.
Mpofu was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s marathon in a time of 2 hours 13 minutes 56 seconds.
The Paris 2024 Olympics Games are scheduled for July 26 to August 11.
Mpofu, who earned his ticket to the Games more than a year ago, is working with seasoned coach Chauke for his preparations and he got into camp in Harare towards the end of January.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports yesterday, Chauke expressed satisfaction with the progress they are making.
“He ran well, finished well, and was not under pressure. Our objectives were met, so we are good to go.
“One of the objectives is to motivate the athlete, for one to have a feel of the competition, just getting into competition and getting motivated.
“But of course, these times are way slower than what we are trying to prepare his legs for . . . It helps his mental preparation for the bigger things to come.
“But from what we have seen we are on the right track, it went well, he is okay . . . and we are just coming to today’s training,” said Chauke.
Before Mpofu’s participation at the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon, Chauke had indicated that it was going to be their first assessment race and they were targeting a time of 2 hours 20 minutes.
They are now going to adjust the training programme with the focus being shifted more to speed work as Mpofu is expected to run a 21km race next month. He will then compete at the Boston Marathon in April.
“The programme will change a bit. We are changing to focus more on the speed, to enable him to run a 21km (race). “So there are changes. It switches from the heavy load that we were putting on him into something faster but still with the key aspects of speed, power, flexibility, and other components.
“We won’t change much of the aspects but the loading aspect will definitely change, and the splits are now going to be slightly faster than they were before.
“So whatever we were doing we are now going to be faster because we are now building on speed,” said Chauke.
Blessing Waison, who is also an Olympic hopeful was part of the athletes that competed at the Kazungula marathon and came second in 2 hours 15 minutes.
Tendai Zimuto took part in the 10km race at the same event and finished fourth.
Zimuto is also in camp, training under the guidance of Chauke. He is scheduled to compete at the Enschede Marathon in the Netherlands on April 21.
“He (Zimuto) is going for an Olympic qualifying race. We are getting there, we are still working on his legs to get used to running 42km. He was not used to it, so we are building up on that now. So we will see as we progress how it goes but the baseline is there,” said Chauke.
The qualification period for the marathon closes on April 30.
The qualifying time for men is 2 hours 8 minutes 10 seconds. Women are chasing a qualifying time of 2 hours 26 minutes 50 seconds.
Online Reporter