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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN runner Mike Fokorani believes he still has what it takes to compete in the Comrades marathon for a few more years to come as he readies for this year’s edition due to take place on June 9.
Fokorani, a regular runner at the Comrades in South Africa, is one of the several Zimbabwean long-distance runners polishing up their preparations for the race.
“I aim to reach 55 years whilst still running Comrades. I want to go into the Masters’ category and set a record.
“I believe I can do it. I have been running good times. I know my body, I know my training,” Fokorani said.
The 47-year-old runner also acknowledged that the Comrades is no mean feat.
“I know I can reach 50 years and still run good times.
“Comrades, it’s known to be the ultimate human race. That race tests how healthy you are, and your fitness status, and if you can run and finish the Comrades, it means you are fit.
“Secondly it builds perseverance not just on the course but in life in general. There are life lessons one can pick from the race, that’s why I keep competing in the race. This will be my 11th appearance,” he said.
The Bindura-based runner has been training with Lyno Muchena, Monica Kativhu, and Godwin Kasaga.
The official route distance for this year’s race, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg is 85.91km.
“So, far our preparations have been going well although we had some disturbances last month . . . It was not that bad though, so we are back in training.
“We are now tapering, slowing down since the race is now closer.
“Godwin is helping us with speed. But myself, Monica, and Lyno are all Comrades runners.
“According to my understanding of Comrades and my experience, our preparations have been good and I believe we can do well. I can say we can go for the top 10.
“In fact, since January all the training we had, we were aiming for Comrades, even the races we ran were all part of the preparations.
“Those races gave us an insight of what to work on. We used them to assess ourselves. That’s how we measure our fitness.” Some of the races Fokorani has competed in this year, include the Kazungula marathon, Old Mutual Harare marathon, and Two Oceans.
Fokorani, said they are grateful to their sponsors, Nedbank for the support, which he feels has made a difference in their preparations and participation in various races.
For Kativhu it will be her second appearance at the Comrades, having competed in 2016.
“I think we have adequately prepared for the race. We went to Mutare for a camp.
“We were working more on the hill work there and adjusting to the weather because by the time we finish the Comrades race it would be hot.
“We now just want to manage our training so that we don’t pick injuries.
“In 2016 I finished on position 11 in 7 hours 4 minutes, so this year is my second appearance. I just want to try again because I want to get into the top 10.
“This time around I want to run under 7 hours,” Kativhu said.
Fokorani also backed Kativhu to excel in the Comrades.
“Monica is a determined runner and as athletes when we set personal targets or want to do something we always push to achieve it.
“So, Monica is going back for the Comrades this year,” said Fokorani.
Another seasoned runner Jonathan Chinyoka is also set to compete at Comrades.
Online Reporter