Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GODWIN Katakura’s new personal best of 2:08:47 has moved him closer to the World Championships qualifying mark.
The Cadence Athletics Club runner finished second at the ADAC Marathon Hannover on Sunday, knocking down his previous best of 2:11:02 in a big step forward.
It was a strong run from Katakura, who continues to show steady improvement over the marathon distance.
“I cannot explain how happy I am with the PB. It’s something l cannot explain in a normal way but just feel.
“We had worked on the PB for some time and the coach always believed that I could run a 2.08 marathon.
“When it happened, l was really shocked, happy and perplexed.
“When I started the marathon distance, I never believed I could run such times but it’s happening now when I least expect. I am very happy with the PB,” said Katakura.
The run did not come out of nowhere. It had been building.
Katakura and his team had studied the Hannover course, mapped out the approach, and targeted the drop in time. On Sunday, everything clicked.
“It is important to achieve targets because it makes me believe in myself, the training and everyone around me.
“I have the second-best marathon time in Zimbabwe now.
“The course was a great one, not too much elevation. We had studied it in detail with the coach and we had worked on how to attack it. He obviously likes such details when we go for racing,” said Katakura.
Kenya’s Kibet Thomas Maru won the race in 2:07:53, while Ethiopia’s Dubre Negawo Asnake came third in 2:10:23.
For Katakura, the bigger picture is already clear.
The World Championships qualifying mark stands at 2:06:30. He is not there yet, but he is no longer chasing shadows.
“The coach believes I can run much better marathon times and his targets are way more stretched than just World Championships qualification time.
“He believes I can do better. Not just me but even my training partner Blessing Waison.
“So, the World Championship is within reach because we are already working on more challenging targets later this year,” he said.
It capped a strong weekend for Cadence Athletics Club.
Blessing Waison, who trains alongside Katakura, finished third on his ultra-marathon debut at the Two Oceans Marathon, underlining the depth building within the camp.
Coach Alden Muhoni was not surprised.
“Waison performed well. I am very happy with his performance. He has matured now and can hold composure when it matters.
“His performance was not a surprise though because he always does that in training so it didn’t come as a surprise. He was just reproducing what he does in training.
“You see for Godwin; it was more emotional. Mostly in the sense that I am working with an athlete who wants records and who doesn’t believe he is second choice.
“The PB came at a time we all knew he already had it in his legs because of the time trials we do in trainings.
“He finished second but I wasn’t bothered by the position. It was a big international race and all I wanted was a good PB, which he brought home.
“He is amazing and today (Sunday) was a big day for him, me, the club, the nation and our sponsors who have believed in our philosophy,” said Muhoni.
