Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RISING distance runner Godwin Katakura underlined his status as one of the athletes to look out for in Zimbabwe after setting a new marathon national record time of 2 hours 6 minutes 23 seconds at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon.
Katakura finished 12th in a field dominated by runners from Ethiopia and Kenya.
He beat the previous national record of 2 hours 6 minutes 48 seconds set by seasoned runner Isaac Mpofu in 2022.
Katakura put up an impressive show in the Netherlands to better his previous PB of 2 hours 8 minutes 47 seconds, set in April at the ADAC Marathon Hannover.
Yesterday’s race was won by Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu in 2 hours 3 minutes 33 seconds.
Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir was second in 2 hours 3 minutes 39 seconds and compatriot Patrick Mosin took third in 2 hours 3 minutes 58 seconds.
While Katakura narrowly missed the World Athletics Championships qualification time of 2 hours 6 minutes, the 26-year-old is now the country’s fastest marathon runner.
His time, which is closer to the qualifying mark also increases his chances of securing qualification to the global meet next year in China through the world rankings.
But with the qualification window running until May 2, 2027, Katakura still has a chance to pursue direct qualification.
The Cadence Athletics runner continues to prove his mettle on the international stage.
His performances so far, starting with the ADAC Hannover Marathon in April and yesterday’s showing at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, puts him among the outstanding distance runners to emerge from this country.
Going into yesterday’s race, he had indicated that the target was to run a personal best despite some setbacks during the preparation phase due to injuries.
And yesterday he did not just achieve his goal but went on to become the new national record holder.
Katakura’s coach Alden Muhoni, who was also in the Netherlands could not hide his joy after the race.
“I am very excited with the result. For him to post a national record when we were just targeting a personal best is incredible.
“The feeling is just great,” said Muhoni.
“I saw him at 7km peg with the leading bunch that was running a target marathon time of 2.03:30 and I panicked because that wasn’t our plan.
“I thought he could perhaps trigger his injury with too much speed. What he went on to do after that was unbelievable.
“He maintained exactly a 3.00 pace for all the remaining kilometres to the finish. He was ranked 31 when he entered the race but finished position 12. It means he beat 19 good athletes who were ranked ahead of him. It’s incredible,” added Muhoni.
Also in competition yesterday was Moses Tarakinyu, Fortunate Chidzivo and Ethel Pangiso at the Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa.
Tarakinyu and Chidzivo claimed podium finishes when finishing third in the men and women’s categories respectively.
Tarakinyu crossed the finish line on third place with a time of 2 hours 15 minutes 34 seconds.
Having recently participated at the BMW Berlin Marathon, Tarakinyu had hoped for a podium finish in yesterday’s race.
“The race was good especially the pace, it was slow.
“Unfortunately, there was heavy wind during the race. But I am happy I managed to fulfil my expectations of getting a podium finish like what I had said before I came here,” said Tarakinyu.
South Africa’s Arthur Jantjies romped to victory in 2 hours 15 minutes 14 seconds. Tsepo Ramashamole from Lesotho came second in 2 hours 15 minutes 24 seconds.
It was the same story for Chidzivo in the women’s section as she finished third in 2 hours 49 minutes 55 seconds.
Fellow Zimbabwean Ethel Pangiso was fifth with a time of 2 hours 53 minutes 24 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Bize Beyira Negasa produced a commanding victory when crossing the finish line in 2 hours 36 minutes 42 seconds.
Malineo Mahloko from Lesotho was second in 2 hours 43 minutes 53 seconds
