Chronicle Editor
Simba Jemwa, Sports Correspondent
EXPERIENCED Unimills-Hokoyo cyclist, Nkulumo “Nkust” Dube emerged victorious with a sterling performance in the 2022 Evolution Insurance Company National Duathlon Championship staged at the Donnybrook Raceway in Harare on Sunday.
Duathlon is an athletic event that consists of running, followed by a cycling leg and another running leg in a format similar to triathlon.
Dube was competing in the men’s 20 years and older age group.
The sprint consisted of a 5km run, 20km bike and 2,5km run, while the super-sprint consisted of a 2,5km run, 10km bike and 1,25km run.
In a field that attracted scores of contestants, Dube put up his best in the first-leg of running and continued in riding with a good pace in the second-leg of running to emerge winner in the maiden edition of the championship.
In the end, Dube claimed the feat in a period of 1 hour 3 minutes and 42 seconds.
Team Tsvaira cyclist, Amos Chakaza completed the threesome event three seconds behind Dube in a time of 01:03:45 to grab second place followed by his teammate Solomon Mugavazi in a time of 01:04:18.
Another Unimills-Hokoyo cyclist, Thulani Dube was fourth in 01:06:03.
The adult women’s category was won by Laura O’Donoghue in 01:09:51.
She was trailed by Greer Wynn in second in 01:10:42, Andy Kuipers in 01:12:08 and Helen Mitchell (01:23:55).
The boys’ junior 16-19-year age group was dominated and won by George Ascott, who finished in a time of 01:07:07, followed by Duwan Botha, Tavanashe Ndemera and Blessing Gijima.
Jessica Fuller won the girls’ junior event in a 01:17:46, with Brooklyn Tippett taking second place in 01:17:47 and Emma Lidsba in third in 01:25:17 and Hannah Mashiri in fourth in 01:57:51.
The championships were organised by the Triathlon Zimbabwe.
Unimills-Hokoyo team principal Davis Muhambi was thrilled by his cyclists’ performances, given that it was their first attempt in duathlon.
He said the ride had been experimental, as the club looks to spread its wings as a sporting club and take part in other events.
“We are very happy that Nkust (Nkulumo) and Thulani did well in an event they have never competed in before.
We have always been saying that our vision is to empower the youth and to do this we decided to use sport to achieve this goal.
“Duathlon is a sport that we are exploring and we may just continue to take part in events such as the national championships,” said Muhambi. — @RealSimbaJemwa
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