Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE arrived in Tallahassee chasing experience and left with a clear measure of the gap they must close.
On a demanding course at Apalachee Regional Park on Saturday, the country’s athletes were stretched by terrain, pace, and depth at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, with Godwin Katakura’s 49th place the best of the seven finishes across races.
Katakura crossed the line in 31 minutes 09 seconds in the senior men’s 10km, his first appearance at the global event. The result came after an interrupted build up that included an injury picked up after the Hwange Marathon and a missed planned outing at the Botswana Cross Country Championships. He trained fully for only two weeks before travelling to the United States.
“That was not very bad on my side, based on how I trained and the injury,” Katakura said after the race. “The course was very tough, but that’s cross country. The competition was tough. The time makes sense to me because the course was challenging.”
The Tallahassee course, with rolling hills and thick grass, punished athletes who arrived short of preparation. Katakura said the value of the race lay less in the placing and more in the lesson. “Racing the big guys from around the world shows you where you are. From this competition, we have to improve some of our training sessions.”
His coach Alden Muhoni backed that assessment and pointed to the context behind the numbers.
“He didn’t train much for this championship after Hwange because of the injury,” Muhoni said. “He also couldn’t go to Botswana as planned. With just two weeks of training, the result reflects the fitness he had.”
Muhoni said exposure to events of this level remained essential if Zimbabwe’s athletes were to progress.
“When you race the world’s best, you understand how much work is still needed. That experience matters. I thank the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe and the other sporting bodies for making sure the athletes get to these competitions. It’s not easy, but they tried.”
Behind Katakura, Bradley Makuvire finished 87th in 33 minutes 05 seconds among the 114 athletes who completed the senior men’s race. Wayne Kabondo did not finish.
The podium illustrated the standard Zimbabwe faced. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo won in 28 minutes 18 seconds to claim a third consecutive world cross country title. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi followed in 28 minutes 36 seconds, with Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo third in 28 minutes 45 seconds.
In the senior women’s 10km, Caroline Mhandu placed 71st in 38 minutes 38 seconds out of 89 finishers, also making her debut at the championships. Answer Tasara did not finish.
“My performance was not bad for a first time,” Mhandu said. “It was tough. The competition was strong and the course asked a lot. I know I need to work more to lower my time. Competing with the world’s best teaches you a few things.”
Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich won the women’s race in 31 minutes 28 seconds. Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek was second in 32 minutes 10 seconds, while Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew finished third in 32 minutes 13 seconds.
Zimbabwe also fielded two juniors. Jackson Nyamazana placed 59th in the Under 20 men’s 8km in 27 minutes 43 seconds. Tulange Mudenda finished 63rd in the Under 20 women’s 6km in 24 minutes 18 seconds.
