Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAROLINE Mhandu believes more marathon events in the country can help them qualify and thrive in international events.
She was speaking after winning the annual Jacaranda Bloom half marathon 21km race at Harare Gardens on Sunday.
Mhandu won in 1 hour 16 minutes 35 seconds, Mirriam Sibanda was second in 1 hour 26 minutes 30 seconds while Ethel Pangiso was third in 1 hour 27 minutes 14 seconds.
Wyne Kabondo won the men’s 21km race in 1 hour 5 minutes 36 seconds ahead of Kenyan, Isaac Langat who crossed the finishing line in 1 hour 07 minutes 20 seconds, while Patrick Koskei was third in 1 hour 07 minutes 30 seconds.
Mhandu said it was a good race ahead of the Vumba half marathon in a fortnight.
“I am very happy to have won this event especially ahead of the Vumba Half Marathon. The race was tough but I give credit to my trainers and everyone who rallied behind me.
“The races are coming in numbers and it gives us endurance as we also target to qualify for the international events. My time is improving and I look forward to the future,” said Mhandu.
Kabondo was delighted in his win and is now looking forward to upcoming races especially the Vumba half marathon.
“I am happy with this win and I had practised a lot for it. I am now looking forward to the Vumba Half marathon where I believe I will do well.
“The terrain was fair and running in Harare has always been challenging but I managed to break loose at the 13km peg and managed to maintain the lead until I finished,” said Kabondo.
Jacob Sipanela won the junior boys 10km race in 31 minutes 14 seconds and was ahead of Ndodana Paradza who finished in 31 minutes 45 seconds.
The 10km women’s race was won by Shamiso Mushayi who crossed the line in 44 minutes 57 seconds as Patricia Tavaonesa was close behind at 45 minutes 12 seconds.
The Jacaranda bloom marathon is sponsored by Harare City Council and the guest of honour was Harare mayor Jacob Mafume.
“We are happy with the participation at the marathon from around 300 in our first edition last year to nearly 600 this year. It shows that the marathon is getting traction. Next year our target will be to get our numbers to a thousand or even more.
“As a city we are reinvesting back in sport in a big way from football, athletics, swimming, tennis and basketball among others. We want to give opportunities to our youth and also draw them away from the dangerous pandemic of drugs which has gripped Harare and beyond. So we are going to see the city staging more and more sporting activities.
“We also want to thank the corporate sector which has so far heeded our call and also want to ask more corporates to come on board as it is key for us to pool resources and develop a healthy city,” said Mafume.
