Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe are hopeful of a good turnout for the fourth edition of the National Duathlon Championships at Donnybrook Race Track tomorrow.
A duathlon consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and finishes with another running leg.
The Donnybrook competition includes championship and non-championship events.
It is the second event of the season after the Invitational inter-schools and non-schools aquathlon, which marked the official start of the 2025-2026 season.
The aquathlon event was held at Harare International School last Sunday.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Triathlon Zimbabwe vice-president Pamela Fulton said they are looking forward to an exciting event with some additions to the programme.
“This Sunday, 28 September we hold our second event of the new season, which is our fourth edition of the Duathlon National Championships, proudly sponsored once again by Evolution Insurance Company.
“The event will once again be held in the secure and safe environment of the Donnybrook race track.
“We will host both championship and non-championship events as in previous years but this year we also include a cycle criterium whereby we hope to include and attract the cycling fraternity.
“The Criterium is time-based whereby the athletes race around the track for 30 minutes + 1 lap. If well supported this proves to be a very exciting event,” said Fulton.
For championship events, participants will compete in various age groups — 20 years and above, under-17 and un-der-19 — racing over the sprint distance and the super sprint distance for under-13 and under-15 athletes.
Shine Doko won the Men’s Open category last year. The sprint event consisted of a 5.5km run, 19.25km bike and a 2.75km run.
Callum Smith emerged tops in the Junior Men (Under-17/Under-19) sprint.
Zander Botha and Rachel O’Donoghue were the winners in the Youth category (Under-13/Under-15) boys and girls. The super-sprint distance consisted of a 2.75km run, 11km bike, and a 1.3km run. They are all expected to grace tomorrow’s event. “It’s always exciting to see who lines up on the start line in the 20+ category to see who takes away the overall la-dies’ and men’s trophy.
“We hope to see last year’s winners, Shine Doko and Laura O’Donoghue compete to try to defend their title.
“There has been much talk amongst the junior schools with regards to supporting this event so the Du-Sport and Du-Fun events should be well supported,” said Fulton.
With Triathlon Zimbabwe hoping to make the Youth Olympic Games next year, Fulton said it also presents a good platform for the earmarked athletes to gauge themselves as the season begins.
“This duathlon is a good opportunity for our YOG squad to compete and see how they fare against their counter-parts.
“We hope to see the likes of Zander Botha, Matthew Hildebrand, Ethan Donzva, Rachel O’Donoghue and Olivia Beamish.
“Callum Smith and Mandle Mthethwa will be the athletes to look out for in the Under-19 men’s category,” Fulton said.
The non-championship events will see participants taking part in du-fun, du-super sprint and du-sprint, and is open to all age groups.
