Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORTUNATE Chidzivo isn’t slowing down.
Fresh from crushing the Old Mutual Vumba Half Marathon field, the long distance queen already has her eyes locked on the next fight, the Harare Athletics Board Cross Country selection meet.
She stormed to victory in Vumba with a time of 1 hour 24 minutes 24 seconds, slicing almost two minutes off her 2023 mark. Yet the reigning champ says there’s no time to celebrate.
“It wasn’t an easy win, so I can’t say it built confidence towards the cross country. But yes, it was also part of a preparation for cross country,” said Chidzivo.
“I need that strength to pull through the cross country courses. Running cross country on its own is tough, those hills made a difference in my legs.”
The Mr Pace Athletics Club star will line up at Prince Edward School this weekend, hunting a spot at next month’s World Cross Country Championships qualifiers in Bindura.
“I am going for the provincial selection on the 2nd of November. But I am not going to try and win the race.
“I am just going to try and push myself to make the provincial team.
“I still need to work on pure speed. Yes, I have a lot of endurance and some speed endurance, but I really need to work on my pure speed.”
And if Vumba was any sign, she’s getting there fast.
Her teammate Miriam Sibanda finished second, while in the men’s race Isaac Langat crossed first and Wayne Kabondo grabbed third.
Rising talent Peter Tauzeni bagged third in the men’s 10km, and Caroline Mhandu fought hard for fourth in the women’s half marathon, another big day for the dominant Mr Pace camp.
Coach Collen Makaza says the camp’s winning habit is no accident.
“It was a good day in the office yesterday and everything went according to plan,” he said. “I think we’ve got the form we want for the cross country event. Now our target is for one of our three girls to qualify for America.
“We also have Peter Tauzeni, an upcoming athlete we took from Chivhu. It’s now two months since he joined the club and he performed well yesterday, he came third. He’ll be there at the selection event together with Wayne Kabondo. Fortunate, Miriam and Caroline, they are all prepared.”
Harare Athletics Board secretary general Sledge Chinyoka said registration will be done on the day, with top names such as Melody Kaseke (ZRP) and Black Rhinos’ duo Moses Tarakinyu and Wellington Varevi expected to light up the field.
Mathew Masinge