Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Long-DISTANCE runner Godwin Katakura says he is targeting a new personal best when he lines up for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in the Netherlands this weekend.
The race is scheduled for Sunday.
For Katakura, it is his second major race this year after competing at the ADAC Marathon Hannover in April.
He clocked 2 hours 8 minutes 47 seconds, earning himself a second-place finish at the race.
As he braces for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, Katakura is aiming to improve his time once again de-spite some hiccups during his preparations due to injuries.
“My training for Amsterdam, at first, everything was okay; everything was going according to plan.
“But I could not continuously follow my programme as per the initial plan because of some injuries.
“I picked up some injuries along the way, which affected my preparation.
“Even now I am not 100 percent there, but it’s now manageable. I am feeling better because I can now train.
“So, for Amsterdam I am going, but I am just targeting a PB. If I can get a PB, then I will be okay with that based on the preparations that I have done. The preparation didn’t go as I had planned and expected,” Katakura said.
The Cadence Athletics Club runner is one of the few athletes the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are pinning its hopes on to qualify for the men’s marathon for next year’s World Athletics Championships.
Katakura currently holds third-fastest time in Zimbabwe behind national record holder Isaac Mpofu and Moses Tarakinyu, who recently clocked 2 hours 8 minutes 26 seconds.
Mpofu holds the national record of 2 hours 6 minutes 48 seconds.
And they are also among the group expected to try and qualify for the World Championships to take place in Beijing, China, in 2027.
Qualification for the World Championships is based on a combination of entry standards and world rankings.
The qualifying time for men’s marathon is 2 hours 6 minutes.
“I had to take some time off to heal during the preparation period when I was supposed to be tapering and having my speed work sessions.
“But the long runs and hill workouts we had worked on, but tapering and speed work we could not polish up because of the injuries.
“But I am hoping for a PB,” said Katakura.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub recently, national long and middle-distance runners head coach Benson Chauke said the performances that have been posted by the targeted athletes give them a good chance of becoming part of the field in Beijing.
“Now what awaits is the World Championships. Tarakinyu and Katakura must run again so that they can score points to be considered for World Champs qualification next year.
“So, we are on the right track. We have three people who are very close in recent times,” said Chauke.
Katakura is expected to leave for the Netherlands tomorrow.
