Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
GODWIN Katakura underlined his status as one of the rising distance runners in the country when claiming this year’s CBZ Marathon title yesterday at Old Georgians Sports Club.
The Cadence Athletics Club runner powered to victory in 2 hours 16 minutes 53 seconds setting a new course record in the process. It was an improved show for Katakura having finished second last year in 2 hours 20 minutes 39 seconds, behind Blessing Waison.
“Firstly, I want to thank my coach Alden Muhoni for the training sessions.
“I am happy because last year I was number two, and my time I think it was 2 hours 20 minutes, so this year it has improved to 2 hours 16 minutes. There is notable improvement.
“Today there wasn’t much challenge, it’s just that the course is tough. But I managed to finish the race,” said Katakura.
The previous course record of 2 hours 18 minutes 32 seconds was set by Tendai Zimuto on his maiden marathon in 2023.
Waison, also from Cadence was second in 2 hours 17 minutes 54 seconds. He was followed by ZRP’s Owen Slowly, with a time of 2 hours 23 minutes 37 seconds to complete the top three.
“I am happy with position two because everything went according to plan.
“Coming into this race we were aiming to at least run 2:17, as we are preparing for other upcoming races.
“We have a number of international races we are looking forward to,” said Waison. In the women’s category, Sylvia Kwambai claimed the top spot when crossing the finish line in 2 hours 57 minutes 13 seconds. The Kenyan athlete running under Mr Pace Athletics Club was pleased with the outcome.
“The race was good though the course was hilly but I managed to finish on position one. I want to say thank you to the sponsors and also Mr Pace Club.”
ZRP’s Ethel Pangiso clocked 2 hours 58 minutes 39 seconds to finish second while Annie Chirisa was third in 2 hours 59 minutes 28 seconds.
Isaac Langat from Kenya, competing under Mr Pace won the men’s 21km in 1 hour 8 minutes 56 seconds while Tendai Zimuto placed second in 1 hour 10 minutes 9 seconds. Golden Mhonderwa was third in 1 hour 11 minutes 15 seconds.
Fortunate Chidzivo claimed the 21km title in the women’s category in 1 hour 20 minutes 55 seconds, beating Caroline Mhandu and Miriam Sibanda to second and third position respectively.
Mhandu of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service completed the race in 1 hour 24 minutes 12 seconds, and Sibanda clocked 1 hour 24 minutes 29 seconds. Munyaradzi Katiyo won the men’s 21km wheelchair race in 1 hour 8 minutes 27 seconds and Stella Jongwe was the first to cross the finish line in the women’s category in 1 hour 46 minutes 48 seconds. Melody Kaseke emerged tops in the women’s 10km with a time of 43 minutes 49 seconds, while Shelton Ncube came first in the men’s category in 39 minutes 42 seconds. CBZ Holdings group chief marketing officer Matilda Nyathi said; “It took months of preparation, but we are so excited truly by the turnout.
We had 3 000 runners registered this year, up from 2 000 last year.
The scale has definitely gone up.
“We had a lot of women also coming through, so that is something that we are particularly really proud of.
“We are very excited and grateful to the community because this is for them,” Nyathi said.
