Makaza wins the Ultra 50km world race

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE ultra marathon runner Collen Makaza is the International Association of Ultra Runners 50km World Trophy champion. Makaza romped to victory in 3 hours 41,45 seconds in an event held in Doha, Qatar on Friday.

He, together with athlete Precious Mukuza were selected to represent Zimbabwe by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe after posting good times at the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa. Mukuza however found the going tough and was not even among the top 10 female athletes that saw USA’s Emil Harrison living up to her pre-race billing as the favourite to win.

It was Makaza’s second victory in the competition after crossing the finishing line first, four years ago in a time of 2 hours 47 minutes.

According to online media reports, Makaza was joined by Great Britain’s Phil Anthony for the first 35km, but the 34-year-old then opened up a one minute lead over the Briton during the course of the next five kilometres.

Anthony made a bit of ground in the last five miles, but it was not enough to catch Makaza who on Friday told our Harare Bureau that he was in good shape and looking forward to regaining the title he last won in 2010.

Atmospheric conditions are said to have been harsher than expected as temperatures hovered around 30°C, so times were generally slower than in previous editions of the World Trophy Final.

Harm Sengers of the Netherlands was third in 3:05:01 having covered the second half of the race one minute quicker than the first.

Britain’s Paul Martelletti, who was third at this event in 2012, missed out on the podium this time, finishing fourth in 3:11:05, four-and-a-half minutes ahead of Ireland’s Gary O’Hanlon.

Results

Men

1. Collen Makaza (ZIM) 3:00:41

2. Phil Anthony (GBR) 3:01:26

3. Harm Sengers (NED) 3:05:01

4. Paul Marteletti (GBR) 3:11:05

5. Gary O’’Hanlon (IRL) 3:14:35

6. Michael Wardian (USA) 3:18:11

7. Raivis Zakis (LAT) 3:20:12

8. Wouter Decock (BEL) 3:22:02

9. Tomoya Sugimoto (JPN) 3:24:55

10. Thomas Klingenberg (GER) 3:29:42