Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING a fruitful outing over the weekend when she defended the Old Mutual Vumba half marathon title, Fortunate Chidzivo is stepping up for the Harare Athletic Board cross-country selection event.
The long-distance runner extended her dominance at the half marathon when clocking 1 hour 24 minutes 24 seconds to win the race, also lowering the time in the process.
Last year she won the race in 1 hour 26 minutes 23 seconds.
However, Chidzivo, currently training with Mr Pace Athletics Club, is not dwelling much on Sunday’s victory.
She is already focusing on the HAB provincial selection event scheduled for this weekend at Prince Edward School.
The ultimate goal is to try and qualify for the World Cross Country Championships at the national event on November 15 in Bindura.
“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,” she said.
“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.
“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 still need to work on my pure speed. I really need to work on my pure speed,” said Chidzivo.
Miriam Sibanda, also from Mr Pace Athletics Club, was second while in the men’s category, Isaac Langat won the race and Wayne Kabondo placed third.
In the men’s 10km, Peter Tauzeni placed third as the club dominated the event.
They also had Caroline Mhandu, coming fourth in the half marathon.
The club’s coach, Collen Makaza, said they would want to carry the momentum to the cross-country competition starting with the HAB provincial selection meet.
And believes one of their female athletes stands a good chance to earn a slot at next year’s World Cross Country Championships in the United States.
“It was a good day in the office yesterday (Sunday), and everything went according to plan. I think we have got the form which we want for the cross-country event.
“Now our target is for one of our three girls to qualify for America. We are targeting the top three at the provincial HAB cross-country selection event so that we make the national event.
“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 will be there at the selection event together with Wayne Kabondo.
“Fortunate, Miriam and Caroline, they are all prepared,” said Makaza.
HAB secretary general Sledge Chinyoka said registration for the event is on the day of the competition.
They expect most of their top athletes including Melody Kaseke from ZRP, Black Rhinos Athletics Club runners Moses Tarakinyu and Wellington Varevi to be part of the field.
