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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
WYANE KABONDO and Fortunate Chidzivo were crowned the 2024 Mr Pace Zimpost half marathon champions at the National Sports Stadium B Arena yesterday.
Mr Pace Athletics club’s Kabondo crossed the line in one hour, four minutes and 57 seconds ahead of second-placed Wellington Warevi of Black Rhinos.
The 25-year-old said he was happy to win the race as he came up against some seasoned athletes.
“I am very happy to have won this race ahead of the Victoria Falls marathon. I have been working hard in training, and I am grateful to my club mates at Mr Pace who have been pushing me,” he said.
“I managed to break free at the 7-kilometre peg until the finish line. It was tough as Warevi was on my back throughout the way. Now, I am looking forward to winning more races and take part in international races.” Warevi, who came in second, crossed the line in one hour, five minutes and 42 seconds, while Blessing Waison of Cadence was third with one hour, eight minutes and 13 seconds. The women section saw Chidzivo coming out tops with a time of one hour, 15 minutes and 30 seconds ahead of Daise Kipsufiut of Mr Pace, who crossed the line in one hour, 13 minutes and 12 seconds.
Filipa Dube was third on one hour, eight minutes and 13 seconds.
Kevin Pangiso won the veterans men’s 21km race ahead of Mike Fokorani
and Peter Tumbare, while Chiedza Chokore, Monica Kativu and Precius Makaza were the top three women in their category.
The event left Mr Pace club manager Martha Mashamanda a satisfied person.
“We are happy with the turnout as you have witnessed this year’s event was bigger than the previous one,” she said. “There was a road map for the race, and all the athletes managed to finish the race without any incidents.
“We have attracted athletes from all over the country and we are glad that most of the athletes managed to finish the races within the range of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe.
“Some were even close to the Olympic qualification times.”
Online Reporter