adminLiberty Dube
DANGAMVURA-born long-distance runner, Tendai Chamwandoita, raised the country’s flag high after winning a gold medal in the Pick and Pay Marathon held last weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa. Chamwandoita (42) ran the 42km race in 2 hours, 41 minutes and 11 seconds and finished eighth in his veterans age group. The race was attended by more than 10 000 athletes from across the world.
In an interview Chamwandoita, who is now back in Zimbabwe, said he was proud of raising the country’s flag high ahead of thousands of runners who were also determined to win the race.
“Every runner looked ready for the marathon. It was tight and tiresome, but God saw it fit and allowed me to be one of the outstanding runners in my group.
“I did not train as much as every serious runner would have wished to because of limited resources, but I am proud of the achievement. I have to put more effort and improve on my fitness otherwise I believe there are better days ahead,” said the elated lanky runner. He paid tribute to his family, artiste Henry Tsopotsa and St James United Methodist Church members, among other people, for offering moral support.
He, however, bemoaned lack of support which he said was negatively impacting the smooth flow of his campaigns.
“I wish to have more training time, but because I have a family that needs to be fed, I have to spend more time at work. I have inadequate time to work on my fitness.
“I also call upon stakeholders and individuals to come aboard with sponsorship and make this sport a competitive and lucrative one. I am not doing this for myself only, but for the country as well,” he said.
The former Dangamvura High School student said he was now shifting his focus to the popular 56km race known as the Two Oceans which will be held in South Africa on April 4 as well as the Comrades Marathon to be held in May.
The lanky runner’s previous accolades include a silver medal in the 2013 – 2014 Two Countries Marathon (from Beitbridge to Musina) as well as a bronze medal in the 56km Two Oceans Marathon (Atlantic to Indian Ocean).
Chamwandoita usually does piece jobs to raise funds for training, transport and accommodation for most of his marathons.
He reached his personal best in June last year at the Victoria Falls Marathon after he finished the 42-km race in 2 hours 33 minutes.
Online Reporter