KATAKURA BUILDING MOMENTUM

Ellina Mhlanga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

IT is now a week after the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon and for Godwin Katakura it was not just another race but a platform to build the momentum as he looks at chasing the qualifying mark for next year’s World Championships.

The 26-year-old profile continues to grow, registering podium performances in most of the local races.

Katakura emerged victorious in the men’s 21km at the Victoria Falls Marathon, and it came just after another win at the Tanganda half marathon in Mutare.

These races are part of the bigger picture, building the momentum before he heads out for another international race to try and earn the ticket to the World Championships to be staged in Beijing, China next year.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Katakura revealed he is aiming for another race in Europe in a few months’ time and the wins are proof they are in the right direction.

And the work continues under the guidance of his coach Alden Muhoni.

“Winning is every top athlete’s goal. I feel very thrilled to have won back-to-back half marathons.

“The wins make me trust the process we are following as we prepare for a bigger race.

“I am excited, because the race had many top athletes. It was tough and very competitive, but if you are training well, you can last the competition,” said Katakura.

The Cadence Athletics Club runner had hoped to go for 42km in Vitoria Falls but he picked an injury during another race in Zambia, which affected his preparations and decided to go for the half marathon.

“The injury wasn’t a big one. I recovered well from it because I was doing other workouts to maintain my fitness during the injury period.

“We also followed some unusual training sessions that allowed me to gain fitness quickly, in time for the races.”

His first major race this year was in April when he competed at the ADAC Hannover Marathon in Germany, and set a new personal best of 2 hours 8 minutes 47 seconds when finishing second.

It was a confidence booster for the promising distance runner, who is among the marathon hopefuls for next year’s global meet.

The qualification window for marathon opened last year on November 3 and runs until May 2, 2027.

Athletes are chasing 2 hours 6 minutes in the men’s category and 2 hours 23 minutes 20 seconds in the women’s section. 

The qualification period is almost half way, Katakura is stepping up his preparations.

“Our preparations still go on. I haven’t reached the targets the coach wants before our race in Europe.

“I will recover and we will go for camping,” said Katakura.

For the 10,000m, race walks, combined events and relays, the window opened on February 23, 2026 and runs until August 22, 2027.

For all other disciplines, entry standards can be achieved from August 23, 2026 to August 22, 2027.

Another hopeful is Tendai Zimuto and has already received his invitation to take part at the Berlin Marathon on September 27.

Zimuto was one of the athletes that represented Zimbabwe at the previous edition held in Tokyo, Japan last year.